Obama Weblog

AMA, AARP Endorse House Health Reform Bill

2009-11-05T14:39:00.000-08:00

The American Medical Association (AMA) and AARP, the nation's largest and most influential association of Americans over 50, endorsed the House's health reform legislation today, in advance of the historic vote scheduled for Saturday.

In a briefing to the press, President Obama said:

…I am extraordinarily pleased and grateful to learn that the AARP and the American Medical Association are both supporting the health insurance reform bill that will soon come up to a vote in the House of Representatives.
When it comes to the AARP, this is no small endorsement. For more than 50 years, they have been a leader in the fight to reduce the cost of health care and expand coverage for our senior citizens. They are a non-partisan organization, and their board made their decision to endorse only after a careful, intensive, objective scrutiny of this bill. They're endorsing this bill because they know it will strengthen Medicare, not jeopardize it. They know it will protect the benefits our seniors receive, not cut them. So I want everybody to remember that the next time you hear the same tired arguments to the contrary from the insurance companies and their lobbyists. And remember this endorsement the next time you see a bunch of misleading ads on television.
The AARP knows this bill will make health care more affordable. They know it will make coverage more secure. They know it's a good deal for our seniors. And that's why we're thrilled that they're standing up for this effort.
The same is true for the doctors and medical professionals who are supporting this bill today. These are men and women who know our health care system best and have been watching this debate closely. They would not be supporting it if they really believed that it would lead to government bureaucrats making decisions that are best left to doctors. They would not be with us if they believed that reform would in any way damage the critical and sacred doctor-patient relationship.
Instead, they're supporting reform because they've seen firsthand what's broken about our health care system. They've seen what happens when patients can't get the care they need because some insurance company has decided to drop their coverage or water it down. They've seen what happens when a patient is forced to pay out-of-pocket costs of thousands of dollars that she doesn't have to get the treatment she desperately needs. They've seen what happens when patients don't come in for regular check-ups or screenings because either their insurance company doesn't cover them or they can't afford health insurance in the first place. And they've seen far, far too much of their time spent filling out forms and haggling with insurance company bureaucrats.
So the doctors of America know what needs to be fixed about our health care system. They know that health insurance reform would go a long way toward doing that.
We are closer to passing this reform than ever before. And now that the doctors and medical professionals of America are standing with us; now that the organizations charged with looking out for the interests of seniors are standing with us, we are even closer.
I want to thank both organizations again for their support, and I urge Congress to listen to AARP, listen to the AMA, and pass this reform for hundreds of millions of Americans who will benefit from it. Thank you.
By Cloe Axelson

credit : barackobama.com

Morning News

2009-11-05T08:41:00.000-08:00

From the Washington Post

House leaders put in motion the machinery to hold a rare Saturday vote on the most far-reaching expansion of the health-care system in more than 40 years.

Many Democrats said passing the measure has become even more crucial politically after Republicans won governor's races in Virginia and New Jersey this week. So Democratic whips worked their rank and file, while House leaders tried to secure a momentum-building endorsement from the AARP, the nation's largest association of people over 50. President Obama, meanwhile, laid plans to visit Capitol Hill on Thursday or Friday to address House Democrats in a final push for his signature domestic initiative…

Late Wednesday, a bill that Republicans expect to offer as an alternative to the Democratic package received its assessment from congressional budget analysts, who concluded that the proposal would barely dent the ranks of the uninsured.

The measure would cover 3 million additional people at a cost of $60 billion through 2019, according to an analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. The Democrats' bill, by comparison, would cover far more -- 36 million additional Americans -- at a much higher cost -- $1.055 trillion through 2019, the CBO has said…

From the Wisconsin State Journal

On the anniversary of last year's historic election, President Barack Obama on Wednesday told an audience of more than 600 at Madison's Wright Middle School that he wanted to use more than $4 billion in federal incentives to "make education America's national mission…"

Stressing in his 31-minute speech that the "currency of today's economy is knowledge," Obama said states must adopt high standards for student achievement, hold teachers accountable and even be prepared to step in and take over failing schools to win competitive federal grants.

To help Wisconsin qualify for a share of the $4.35 billion in "Race to the Top" stimulus money, lawmakers are expected Thursday to remove a barrier in state law to using student test scores as a factor in evaluating teachers. But a further reform endorsed by Obama - allowing the state superintendent to change the curriculum and even the personnel in failing schools - is on hold for now in the Legislature.

"I'm proud to say that already a number of states have taken us up on this challenge," Obama said. "In states like California and Indiana and Wisconsin, you're seeing steps taken to remove these so-called firewall laws so we can have a clear look at how well our children are learning and what can be done to help them learn better."

From The Nation

On November 4, 2008, Barack Obama won 66 percent of voters under 30, increasing the Democratic share of the youth vote by 12 percent over 2004. Young people were among Obama's earliest and most important supporters; people under 30, for example, represented Obama's margin of victory in Iowa, the crucial first caucus. Rallies like this one, with thousands of young people putting their hands in the air for healthcare reform, are the most obvious indication of continuing youth enthusiasm for the president…

West had never touched politics before Obama, and now she's addicted, continuing to volunteer thirty-five hours a week for Organizing for America, the DNC group that grew out of the Obama campaign….

In interviews with thirty young people around the country who worked on the Obama field campaign, almost all said that they continued their activism well after the endorphins of winning wore off. Obama has been called a rock star, but this group's experiences suggest that the campaign instilled a commitment to service, not a cult of personality. Though many former campaigners are still fans and several now work for the Obama administration, most are less interested in Washington politics than they are in community organizing. As former staffer Marcus Ryan, 25, says, "Once you turn on that community organizing perspective, it's hard to turn off…”

From the Washington Post

A rebounding Republican Party is savoring victories in two states that President Obama won last year, but as it tries to build momentum toward what GOP Chairman Michael S. Steele called a "Republican renaissance," it faces troubling ideological fissures within its ranks over how best to reclaim power.

As the party turns toward the 2010 midterm elections, pitched battles between moderates and conservatives -- and between the Washington establishment and the conservative grass roots -- are underway from Florida to Illinois to California. Conservative activists, emboldened after forcing out the moderate Republican nominee in a New York congressional race, said they will fan out nationwide and challenge Republican candidates whom they deem too moderate or insufficiently principled.

In response, some candidates are laboring to shed their moderate credentials to survive bruising primary battles. In Illinois, Rep. Mark Kirk, a moderate whom party leaders embrace as the best hope for an open Senate seat, wrote to an adviser to former Alaska governor Sarah Palin (R) seeking her endorsement -- an effort to preempt the kind of revolt Palin helped lead against moderate Dede Scozzafava in the race in New York's 23rd Congressional District…

From the Terre Haute Tribune Star

Snacking on cheese and crackers in an upstairs apartment, political activists took time to celebrate where they were this time last year.__Jim Wright, a local activist with Organizing for America, hosted an informal reunion of President Barack Obama’s campaign supporters on the second floor of a former Unitarian Church carriage house at 416 S. Sixth St…

We need to remember what we were doing a year ago,” he said, explaining the importance of maintaining the group’s organization and energy. Angie Heath, a Vigo County schoolteacher, said Obama’s was the first campaign in which she’d ever participated. “I got involved because of the candidate,” she said, describing health care reform as “something I’m passionate about…”

Kim Danner also listed health care reform as topping her concerns. A recent biopsy scare made her wonder what might happen if she lost her existing coverage and had to conduct a search while bearing a pre-existing condition…

By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

Video from the President: "A remarkable anniversary"

2009-11-04T20:15:00.000-08:00

A special message from Obama for America Campaign Manager David Plouffe:

One year ago today, you made history.

We all knew that electing Barack Obama President was only the opportunity to bring about change; that we would all have to keep working to fulfill the promise our victory offered.

And you've come through -- by making hundreds of thousands of calls to Congress to push health reform forward, by pouring your effort into seemingly insurmountable challenges time and again, and, since January, by building on the power of our campaign to create Organizing for America.

And now, with the finish line on health reform in sight, we need your voice more than ever before.

To mark this special day, President Obama just recorded a video for supporters like you -- please watch his message, and sign up to join OFA in your community today.
Thank you so much for fighting so hard and giving so much to make the promise of a stronger, more just and prosperous America in the years ahead a reality:

http://my.barackobama.com/Year

My best,

David Plouffe
By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

Memories from Across Pennsylvania

2009-11-04T19:00:00.000-08:00

From Chuck C. in Lancaster, PA

Our group of volunteers worked from 7:00 a.m. til after 8:00 p.m. on Election Day 2008, then sat down to watch returns. Volunteers came straggling in from knocking on doors until after dark, and our phone bank was making calls equally late. We watched the early returns at the home of our host family, than moved to the home of another volunteer to watch for another hour or two. Then my wife and I went home to watch President-Elect Obama speak in Grant Park. It's impossible to describe how good a feeling that gave us. A year has passed, and I'm heartened by the progress I see in rebuilding our economy and crafting a health reform bill. I support President Obama as strongly today as I did on Election Night 2008.

From Greg M.:

On November 4th, 2008 I got a call to action to leave the town where I had been volunteering -- Phoenixville -- and spend the day in Coatesville, a priority GOTV city in Chester County. I still get all choked up when I think of one very special exchange I had with an older woman, Esther, in a retirement high-rise. I could not gain access to her building, but I noticed our walk lists also had phone numbers, so I sat in the lobby of her building, calling the residents, staring at my reflection in the drizzle-streaked window, making sure they voted. My hundreds of hours, my vacation time, my energy, my efforts, my everything, were all rewarded by Esther telling me that she voted for "Our man, Barack Obama." And as exciting as it was to go back to Phoenixville and join with the other volunteers to celebrate our victory, nothing compares to that quiet moment on the phone with Esther.

From Betty W.:

November 4, 2008 in some ways seems like a vague dream, but full of unforgettable moments. I remember the intensity, the exhilaration, and the total exhaustion afterward. We had a volunteer office in Penn Hills and the campaign staffers had constantly told us for months that Obama had to carry Pennsylvania to win. In order to carry Pennsylvania, we had to carry Allegheny County, and to carry Allegheny County, we had to carry Penn Hills, (the largest suburb outside the city).
After the polls closed, about 12 of us met at Morgan’s restaurant and watched the election results. We were expecting a tight race for PA, and were amazed when it was announced about 9:00 p.m. that we had solidly won the state. By 11:05, Barack Obama had been declared the President-Elect. The next hours were spent on the phone sharing joyous emotions with fellow campaign warriors, family, friends... and most surprisingly, people I had not talked to in ages; they were reaching out to share the intensity of their emotions.
The experience of this campaign and election forged bonds and relationships that I will cherish forever.
By Kerri

credit : barackobama.com

Reunion Events Across Indiana

2009-11-04T18:47:00.000-08:00

It's been 44 years since Hoosiers elected a Democrat president, but in 2008 we defied tradition by turning Indiana blue for President Obama.

One year later in living rooms, restaurants and diners across the state, we're keeping with that trend -- organizing Hoosiers around health insurance reform and bringing our movement one step closer to real reform this year. Tonight supporters of President Obama and health insurance reform are gathering to reminisce with old and new friends with old and new friends. They're gathering to celebrate the Obama Administration’s accomplishments in 2009, and map out plans for OFA.

Find an event near you and to come see what you can do to continue our movement of change.

By Nick Buis, IN State Director

credit : barackobama.com

"Phew."

2009-11-04T18:20:00.000-08:00

From Caroline W., Baldwin, New York:

During GOTV in rural Indiana, I was canvassing in a public housing development. A mother answered one of my doorbell rings, with a child on her hip and another four inside the tiny co-op. When I asked her if she was planning to vote, she said "my husband takes care of that." I then asked her what she was concerned about. We talked for maybe five minutes, but it felt longer. I explained how her vote counts too, and how Obama's message addressed most of her concerns. She was beginning to nod. I asked her again if she was going to vote, and she hesitated. "Right down the road? That's where I have to go?" she asked. Yes, I responded, it's very close. She nodded again, and said, in a voice barely above a whisper, "Well, I think I can make that."

From Wendy W., Manitou Springs, Colorado:

An indelible memory for me was on Election Day and I was canvassing my neighborhood to get out the vote. I went to the house of an elderly gentleman, probably around 90, and drove him to the polling place. He was in his pajamas and barely able to walk, but he wanted to help make a change in this country. Holding onto his frail arm brought tears to my eyes, but he was so proud to get out and vote.

From Crystal Z., Greenfield, Massachusetts:

I was canvassing in New Hampshire and we decided to take the most out of the way places. We'd run into some scary characters a couple times, and were a little worried about going down this long overgrown drive with no apparent exit, but it was on our list and we were determined. Toward the end, we could see a ramshackle trailer, a lot of 'retired' cars and other assorted 'stuff'. We were about to turn around when a shirtless guy charged out of the trailer. "Hey! What're you doing on my property?" Bravely, my canvas partner got out of the car and said, "We're getting out the vote for Obama." The guy rushed over, patted him on the back and said, "Good job! He's got my vote, and I never even voted before." Phew.

From Arno M., Wisconsin:

The tears running down my face were the same tears shed by the Muslim women wearing hijabs to my right, the young Latina girls to my left, and the enormous prematurely-balding white guy who danced with his toddler son on his shoulders in front of me. I found myself talking to a conservatively dressed older black man named Maurice when Barack Obama's presidency was announced. We embraced in one of the nicest, most pure hugs I've ever had the pleasure of taking part in; two complete strangers from what would be pointed out as vastly different backgrounds prior to that night, now celebrating the wonderful similarities pointed out by our common aspiration.

From Jennifer G., St. Louis, Missouri:

I served as the Team Coordinator/Site Director for the Obama campaign in my ward. On Saturday morning, November 2nd, I arrived at our office to open up for the day to run a GOTV practice. I found one new volunteer already there waiting for us. His name was Henry, and as he introduced himself with a strong British accent, and I asked where he was from. He said he had just flown in from London because he just couldn't sit idly by and watch our election happen -- this election was too important, not just for the U.S., but for the world. He had read that Missouri was going to be one of the toughest battleground states, so he bought a ticket for St. Louis so that he could lend his time. He canvassed TIRELESSLY for us that entire weekend -- sun-up to sun-down -- and kept our spirits up when we started to drag. It was amazing how inspirational he was to our other volunteers and it was so fun to celebrate with him on November 4th when the victory was announced.

I still have a bottle of champagne he purchased that night, sitting in my fridge. He told me to keep it because he was going to come back in 2012 to make sure that next time, we win Missouri too.
By Rohit from Washington, DC

credit : barackobama.com

Last Night: Cedar Rapids Reunion

2009-11-04T18:08:00.000-08:00

Yesterday evening at CSPS in Cedar Rapids, OFA volunteers and former campaign volunteers gathered to discuss their experiences on the campaign, and how to get involved with Organizing for America. Cedar Rapids is a special place for me, in 2007 I was lucky enough to help with President Obama's first campaign stop at Iowa, and I had the chance to work for the campaign in Linn County until election day last year. The event was right after the announcement speech in Springfield, and Kennedy High School had a packed gym to welcome the President. We had a standing room only crowd on a very cold day.

Many of our volunteers, including our Marion Community Organizer Gretchen Lawyer, got to see the President for the first time that day and are still involved with OFA. Other former staff for OFA Iowa that worked in our Cedar Rapids office include our Iowa Field Director Shira Miller, and our current OFA Regional Field Director Matt Beltrami.

Last night two of the President's earliest supporters spoke to the crowd, County Supervisor Lu Barron, and State Representative Tyler Olson. Both Lu and Tyler know the importance of the volunteers that helped get the President to where we are today. Volunteers working with OFA are going to be the deciding factor in making sure those issues that we were knocking doors for in the winter of 2007, become a reality in Washington today.

By Derek Eadon, Iowa OFA State Director

credit : barackobama.com

Floridians Remember

2009-11-04T18:02:00.000-08:00

From Lisa T. in Boca Raton, Florida:

On election day last year, I was with neighbors, friends, family and other volunteers from the South Florida team at a restaurant in Boca Raton. I had just spent my third day knocking on doors in Lake Worth, and I was so sweaty and tired, but so so so happy we had turned Florida Blue!

From Ed P. in Port Charlotte, Florida:

I was sitting in my living room watching the returns when the West Coast polling places closed. It was announced that Barack Obama was projected to be the next President of the United States! I jumped up from my chair and let out a loud whoop! I sat up until the new first family made their appearance at Grant Park and was ecstatic when they all came out. I called several family members and friends to share my joy! The next day, I went to the campaign offices here in Port Charlotte to share my excitement with the staff and helped them clean out the offices after a long and enthusiastic campaign.

From Donna C. in Ft. Myers, Florida:

My husband, Larry Hahn and I were in Miami for his emergency eye surgery. Luckily, we had voted early that week in our home district of Ft. Myers. Both Larry and I cried when Barack Obama was declared our new President. We heard clapping, singing and horns coming from the surrounding apartment balconies and from the streets. We went out on our hotel balcony and joined in the spontaneous clapping and singing from our nearby neighbors. We received a joyous phone call from our friends in Ft. Myers that night wishing Larry well and celebrating our big win! Larry's emergency eye surgery was a success as well as our early votes!

From Johanna S. in Hialeah, Florida:

One year ago today, we were in the City of Hialeah. We were driving people to the polls, canvassing 100% of our turf, and making the extra push to get people out there. We listened to the results coming in and broke down in tears because we did what we came to do and were victorious.

Share your story.

By Ashley Bauman

credit : barackobama.com

What do you remember?

2009-11-04T14:57:00.000-08:00

From Diana C., a grassroots leader and original member of Buffalo for Obama:

I remember the feeling I felt during the elation of election night -- in the midst of the exhaustion and exhilaration of the crowd, not knowing whether to scream, laugh or cry, so we did all three at the same time....
It can be summed up in that word we campaigned so hard on -- hope. A mixture of the pride of the accomplishment. The security of knowing that we had worked so hard for so long in a cause we felt so deeply and had won, and it was time to celebrate.
But we have to keep on going. We are in the middle of the battle for health reform, this is one that I work on every day. Being embroiled in the middle of it, it is so easy to get caught up in each and every shift of the tide. To become discouraged when we lose a skirmish one day. But as I watched the president's speech in New York on October 20th I remembered how far we have come -- Congress is getting ready to debate a health reform bill on the floor of both houses -- AND they both contain a public option. That is AMAZING if you look at the long history of health reform. When you think of what we are up against and then look down at your own hands armed with only a clipboard and a cell phone it can be overwhelming. But we are winning with the sheer power of millions of voices.
And that is the feeling of hope. That we are not at our destination, but we are at a rest stop on the road to it.
So I am so glad to celebrate another milestone. One year from the night of elation after staying up a full 24 hours to make sure we crossed the goal line with the ball in our hands. And I am realizing in this moment that I am so proud to be on that road with millions of others who believe we can all have something better. That we can do something to make our country stronger.

Today marks one year since we elected President Obama to the White House. Across the country, supporters are sharing with us their memories of election night in 2008. Share your story.

By Melissa DeRosa

credit : barackobama.com

"Everything came down to this moment."

2009-11-04T13:46:00.000-08:00

Lynda Woolard is a Community Organizer from New Orleans, Louisiana:

On the night of November 4, 2008, I was at the official Obama for America Election Night Watch Party in New Orleans, three blocks from the Maple Street Headquarters at Phillips Restaurant & Bar. I had spent the day answering questions about polling locations and giving out the voter protection hotline number. I spent the better part of the evening passing out the hundreds of "Generation Obama" Mardi Gras beads I had assembled the night before.
From the day he declared he was going to run, I had been unfaltering in my confidence that hope would prevail this time and Barack Obama would be the next President of the United States. I was a cheerleader. We COULD win this thing. We MUST win this thing. But on election night, I was a nervous wreck. The significance of all we had been fighting for weighed heavy on me. Everything came down to this moment.
Most of our volunteers and staff were at Phillips for the party, and someone actually snapped a shot of me as victory was announced. What an incredible gift it is for me to have this image captured. While I look deliriously happy, believe me, this is really the look of a woman who is relieved. It felt as if I had been holding my breath for hours. Tears were to follow. Lots of them. But I was not alone. There were smiles and tears combined everywhere I looked.
It was wonderfully surreal; both exhausting and exhilarating. I am emotional even now looking back. I remain proud of our President, and I am honored to be a small part of the movement now with Organizing for America. I wouldn't have wanted to miss a second of it, or a single Yes We Can.

By Rohit from Washington, DC

credit : barackobama.com

Memories from Around the Country

2009-11-04T12:42:00.000-08:00

Do you have a great memory from the election last year that you'd like to share? Tell us your story!

From Teresa H. in Henderson, Nevada:

I was a Neighborhood Team Leader, active the whole cycle, and took off from work the last three weeks before Election Day to launch canvasses from my garage. On the last Sunday evening before election day, my field organizer and two other volunteers were in my garage, tallying the day's completed walk packets when my phone rang. It was David Plouffe on a national conference call. "Stand by for Senator Obama." I put the call on speakerphone. While we waited, Plouffe informed us of the day's phenomenal results: over one million calls made and doors knocked. I felt so proud that here in Henderson hundreds of volunteers had done our part. Then Barack Obama came on the line, urging us not to assume victory, not to let up, not for a second. "There's a righteous wind at our backs," he concluded. I wept then and still tear up at the memory. Tears are running down my face as I type this. I invested considerable time, personal life and money in electing this president and would do it all again in a heartbeat.

From Lisa M. in St Clair, Michigan:

I took my five year old daughter out to put up door hangers with voting information and reminders a few nights before the election. The next day, after I picked her up from school, SHE asked ME if we could go out again. So, back we went to the staging house to get a few more. After all her hard work, I didn't want her to miss out on "voting." So, on election morning, I took her with me. She patiently stood in line for an hour without complaining. She was late for school, but her teacher understood. She got her "future voter" sticker and was happy as could be. Plus, she learned a new word - "campaigning" - and used it often.

From Eric C. in Tempe, Arizona:

I recall talking to my mother who grew up in pre-civil rights America and the sense of history she felt the day that she voted for Barack Obama.

From Samantha S. in Honolulu, Hawaii:

I remember waking up at 6 a.m. to watch the election night speech live and crying through the entire thing.

Dorothy Lipschultz in Naples, Florida:

On election day, I was alone in front of my TV. I shed a few tears of joy! We had worked so hard for so many hours. We made calls and we knocked on doors. We trained volunteers and we fed lots of volunteers that came in to work. We ran errands, we registered new voters, we made some special lasting friendships. Now, we must return to work to continue to help President Obama and Vice President Biden fulfill the promises they made and to clean up the mess that was left to them.
By Rohit from Washington, DC

credit : barackobama.com

One Year Later...

2009-11-04T10:17:00.000-08:00

One year ago, we made history by electing President Barack Obama the 44th President of the United States. Today, we celebrate and remember the journey of getting where we are today -- on the brink of making health insurance reform a reality. All of our successes and milestones along the way are owed to the hard work that staff, volunteers, and individuals put in day-to-day, again and again. Throughout the day today, we want to highlight the stories of these people and showcase their hard work...and truth is, they're just getting started.

Our first reflective post comes from Byron Wellman II, Field Director in South Carolina:

It’s hard to believe that it has been a year since the historic election of Barack Obama as our 44th President. This time last year, I was working as a regional field director on the campaign in Gainesville, Florida, alongside my amazing field staff, neighborhood teams and activists trying to turn out as many votes as we could to ensure that change would come to our country.
Over the past year, we have seen exactly how important the election of 2008 truly was. The challenges that President Obama inherited were some of the most profound in our nation’s history. We stood on the brink of complete economic collapse, millions of American’s were losing their jobs and their homes and the road ahead looked more and more difficult by the day. Over the course of the last year, however, our President has stepped up to the challenge. Right there, alongside the President, volunteers and activists alike have also stepped up to the plate.
When our President needed help and support to pass health insurance reform, volunteers just like yourselves came out and called Members of Congress and collected declarations of support. You organized health insurance reform kick-off events, bringing folks out to learn how they can become active, and turned their support into a nationwide day of action.
Today, we are at a milestone in the fight to make health insurance reform a reality. Because of that, we must not only keep up our efforts, but we have to increase our intensity to ensure that we can give the President’s legislative agenda the grassroots support it needs to pass.
On this anniversary, please take the time to reminisce how great of a feeling it was one year ago on that cool, November night; but also look forward to how you can be a part of our efforts for the other incredibly important fights ahead.
We’ve come so very far, but we still have a lot of work to do!

Stay tuned for more great stories from around the country. Do you have a great memory from the election last year that you'd like to share? Tell us your story!

By Rohit from Washington, DC

credit : barackobama.com

Reunion in Missouri

2009-11-04T10:11:00.000-08:00

One year ago, we did something special. We built an unprecedented grassroots organization statewide, and along with staff and volunteers, we celebrated then-Senator Obama's election on November 4th. That night, the President-Elect reminded us that "this victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance to make that change."

One year later we stand at the cusp of enacting real health insurance reform, and in part because of all the work that you have done since we kicked off this campaign for health reform on June 6, all those declarations we gathered throughout the summer, all the calls we made on October 20.

Come join us at an event near you to say thank you to all the volunteers that have put us this close to enacting real health reform. The kind of reform that will provide stability and security to Americans who have insurance, affordable options for those who don't, and lower costs for families, businesses and our country as a whole.

If you live in St. Louis come on out to our St. Louis Office Opening, and if you live in other parts of the state, you can find an event near.

Hope to see you tonight.

By Dan Herman

credit : barackobama.com

Morning News

2009-11-04T09:53:00.000-08:00

From the Los Angeles Times

A Democrat won a special congressional election in a heavily Republican district in northern New York by exploiting a battle between moderates and conservatives for control of the GOP…
Dierdre Scozzafava, a moderate Republican, withdrew from the race Saturday under pressure from the party's right wing because of her support of abortion rights and same-sex marriage.
But prominent Republicans such as former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty endorsed Hoffman instead of the party-picked Scozzafava. Owens' victory may signal renewed strength among Democrats, or at least reassure them of Republicans' perceived weakness. The seat has been strongly Republican for decades. The outcome leaves Republicans holding only two seats in the state's 29-seat congressional delegation.
Democrats scored another victory in California, as Lt. Gov. John Garamendi won a special election to a Northern California congressional seat, keeping the district in Democratic hands…
In Virginia, McDonnell's victory was no surprise. A stronger, more polished candidate than Deeds, he had history on his side: Virginia voters have not elected a governor from the same party as the president in more than 30 years. The election was fought mainly over local issues; more jobs and better roads. McDonnell did his best to hug the middle, downplaying his conservative social views…
In New Jersey, the race ended up a choice between two highly unpopular candidates and a third-party hopeful. Corzine was an early underdog, given the rough economy and his miserable poll ratings…

From the Boston Globe

After months of bashing the Democratic bills, House Republicans have come up with their own health care proposal.
The near-final draft focuses more on cutting costs than on covering the uninsured…
Republicans plan to offer their bill as an alternative on the floor. It does not require employers to offer coverage and does not require individuals to obtain, and does not ban insurers from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions, the AP says. It most certainly does not include any kind of "public option" government plan to compete with private insurers.
Rather, the GOP plan incorporates some tried -- and Democrats would argue tired -- prescriptions: more health savings accounts, limits on pain and suffering awards in medical malpractice cases, and more leeway to sell health insurance to be sold across state lines.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs quickly noted how long it took Republicans to roll out their health care alternative and that it does not include "banning insurance companies from discrimination against sick people."
But Gibbs went on to say during his daily briefing that the Obama will continue to try to work with Republicans…

From the Associated Press

Lawyer and retired Air Force Capt. Bill Owens won the special election Tuesday in northern New York in which the Republican candidate withdrew over the weekend under pressure from the party's right wing and GOP heavyweights endorsed the Conservative Party nominee.
Owens said he hopes to bring the heavily Republican district together after the contentious race left the GOP with one less seat in this bluest of states.
"Our challenges aren't Democratic or Republican. They're not liberal or conservative. They are American challenges that we will overcome with American resolve," Owens said in his victory speech. "The only way that we can create jobs and attract economic development to our communities is by bringing people of all parties together and giving everyone a seat at the table."
The GOP had represented the region for more than a century...
Owens thanked one-time opponent Dierdre Scozzafava, a moderate Republican who exited the race Saturday after Republicans criticized her support of abortion rights and same-sex marriage and Hoffman surged past her in the polls…
Owens defeated Hoffman despite a voter registration edge of 45,000 for Republicans and big-name endorsements for Hoffman from former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, former Republican Sen. Fred Thompson and others...

From the Asheville-Citizen Times

Dr. Ed Morris came to Washington on Tuesday eager to explain how soaring health care costs have hurt his small business in Franklin.
Morris, owner of the Franklin Fitness Center, spoke at a morning news conference with Democrat Sens. Tom Harkin of Iowa and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana as part of a campaign supporting health care reform legislation. The campaign drew participation from about 100 small-business owners from 24 states…
Morris, who has been in business 21 years, said he used to offer cardiac rehabilitation services until inadequate insurance reimbursements forced him to eliminate them. Until recently, he paid his workers’ insurance premiums, but those premiums have tripled in the last decade, he said, and the workers now pick up some of the cost.
This year, Morris went to a high-deductible plan in which employees use a health savings account to pay their routine health care costs and use health insurance to protect against catastrophic bills. He has four full-time employees and used to have more, he said, but he began using more part-time workers to avoid having to provide health insurance.
“We really want to offer this to our employees,” Morris said of health insurance. “But it’s just killing us…”

By Cloe Axelson

credit : barackobama.com

One Year Ago

2009-11-03T23:13:00.000-08:00

By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

Election Results Open Thread

2009-11-03T21:32:00.000-08:00

Special thanks to everyone who helped make calls, knocked on doors, and got out and voted today...

By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

GOTV Calls: Only a Few Hours Left

2009-11-03T18:14:00.000-08:00

UPDATED (8:00 p.m.) Polls are now closed in Virginia and in New Jersey, but voting is still underway in New York and other places across the country.

Click here to call voters in New York's 23rd District.

UPDATED (7:00 p.m.) Polls in Virginia are now closed, but voting is still underway in New Jersey and New York, as well as other races across the country.

Polls in Virginia close at 7:00 p.m. Eastern; polls in New Jersey close at 8:00 p.m. Eastern and polls in New York close at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.

We've only got a few hours left to make as much of an impact as possible. No matter where you are, you can help out in the final stretch by making GOTV calls from home:

Click here to call voters in Virginia. (polls are now closed)

Click here to call voters in New Jersey. (polls are now closed)

Click here to call voters in New York's 23rd District.

By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

"By the People" Hawaii Preview

2009-11-03T17:59:00.000-08:00

Last week, supporters in Hawaii were treated to a sneak-peak of the new HBO documentary "By the People," which chronicles Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. Ria Beldevia, OFA State Director for Hawaii, and her team played host for the event, and were able to capture pictures and quotes from individuals at the screening.

Damion T. in Honolulu remembers going "to New York for a rally in Washington Square Park, and the feeling of so many people from different backgrounds coming together for one cause was so inspiring."

"By the People" premieres tonight, and there are watch parties planned throughout the country.

By Rohit from Washington, DC

credit : barackobama.com

Urgent: House Vote Soon

2009-11-03T15:11:00.000-08:00

From OFA Director Mitch Stewart:

The House's first full vote on health reform legislation may come as early as this week. It'll be the first time in more than 60 years that the full body votes on comprehensive reform, and we expect it to be very close.

But with just a few days before the vote, the insurance industry and their allies are putting extraordinary pressure on every representative to defeat it. We know that their expensive lobbyists will be dashing to each congressional office, attempting to twist arms. The only question is whether the phones will be ringing off the hook with constituents supporting reform while that happens.

Can you call your representative right now and tell them to vote in favor of real health insurance reform?
The House bill incorporates the best ideas from Democrats and Republicans to guarantee security and stability for those with insurance, provide affordable options for those without -- including the choice of a public insurance option -- and reduce costs for families and small businesses, all while decreasing the deficit.

Many representatives are standing with the President and fighting hard for reform. They need to know that they have our thanks and our support.

And we need to remind the rest of Congress that Americans need them to rise above partisan divides and stand up to the special interests. Please call:

http://my.barackobama.com/HouseVote

It's down to the wire. Your hard work helped bring us to this historic moment. Now let's bring it home.

Thanks,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America
By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

GOTV Calls: "Felt like old times"

2009-11-03T12:43:00.000-08:00

As voters in a number of states head to the polls today, many long-time supporters are back on the phones, making calls to help get out the vote. In New Jersey, Jersey Girl reports:

Turn out is slow like any other non Presidential election no surprises there. This afternoon I volunteered to take people to the polls for now to the phones. Let's go NJ, NY and VA GOTV.

From Cookemon, in Illinois:

I'm making calls to Virginia, reminding folks to vote and let them know how important their vote is... I'll be calling off and on today.

And from Sharon, in Maryland:

Just finished 50 calls to New Jersey. Felt like old times. Time to stretch my legs and go back for more.

No matter where you are, you can help out in the final stretch by making GOTV calls from home using our online tools:

Click here to call voters in New Jersey.

Click here to call voters in New York's 23rd District.

Click here to call voters in Virginia.

By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

Election Day

2009-11-03T10:38:00.000-08:00

In many places across the country, today is election day. There are governor races in Virgina and New Jersey, Congressional races in New York's 23rd District and California's 10th District, as well as countless other important local races.

Voters in New Jersey can find their polling location here.

Voters in New York's 23rd District can find their polling location here.

Voters in Virginia can find their polling location here.

No matter where you are, you can help get out the vote in these key states by making phone calls from home using our online tools. Turnout is key in off-year races, and just a few minutes on the phone can make a huge difference in a tight race.

Click here to call voters in New Jersey.

Click here to call voters in New York's 23rd District.

Click here to call voters in Virginia.

One year ago, we saw firsthand the impact that these phone calls and conversations can have. It's election day, and you know what to do.

By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

Morning News

2009-11-03T10:08:00.000-08:00

From ABC News

While spinmeisters from both sides will do their best after tomorrow’s results are in, it's a dicey business to draw broad conclusions from state and local off-year elections. The turnout's different and the issues and candidates are idiosyncratic, meaning conclusions need to be hedged. Nonetheless there are themes worth watching – economic discontent chief among them, given its customarily awesome political power.
But first things first: Is tomorrow's voting a referendum on Barack Obama?
Pre-election data suggest that notion's a tough sell. Consider for example a Washington Post poll last week, in which likely voters in the Virginia governor’s race divided essentially evenly on whether they were voting in part to express support for Obama (14 percent) or opposition to him (15 percent); the rest – and most by far, 70 percent – said he wasn’t a factor in their vote one way or the other…

From the Washington Post

Wall Street's top bankers were given a Feb. 1 deadline to submit proposals for how they plan to improve their pay practices, people with knowledge of the meeting said.
The meeting, convened by New York Fed President William C. Dudley, was brief -- no more than 30 minutes -- and to the point with Fed regulators making it clear that they are serious about enforcing the executive compensation guidelines they proposed late last month.
While the rules have yet to be finalized, Dudley told Goldman Sachs chief executive Lloyd Blankfein, J.P. Morgan Chase chief executive Jamie Dimon, Morgan Stanley chief executive John Mack and others that he wants the banks to begin incorporating the new practices as they set year-end bonuses in the coming months….
Fed officials urged the banks to do more to align pay with long-term performance, such as by awarding a significant portion of compensation in stock, sources familiar with the meetings said…

From the San Franciso Chronicle

Democratic leaders of a key Senate committee vowed Monday to forge ahead with climate change legislation despite a planned boycott by Republicans on the panel.
Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., said the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee she heads would begin working on the global warming bill today - with or without the Republicans.

"We look forward to working with them if they decide to participate," Boxer said. "But if they do not, we will move forward in accordance with the rules of the Senate and of this committee..."
In response late Monday, Boxer decided to bring EPA officials before the committee today to discuss the bill's economic effects. She also extended a deadline for Republicans to submit amendments, making it the close of business today...
Boxer said the legislation has already been subject to extensive review, including three days of hearings with testimony from 54 witnesses last week...
The Kerry-Boxer climate bill would impose steadily tightening limits on the emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases blamed for global warming. Refiners, power plants, manufacturers and other polluters could comply with the new caps by cutting their emissions or buying and trading allowances to release the substances.

From the Washington Times

Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. said the New York special congressional election, which is roiling after the Republican nominee pulled out and endorsed the Democrat, will be a chance for voters to send a message that the Republican Party has become too extreme….
Mr. Biden, speaking at a rally here for Democrat Bill Owens, cited the withdrawal of Republican nominee Dede Scozzafava over the weekend as proof that the "most extreme wing" of the party won't tolerate dissent.
"I say to all those moderate Republicans ... join us, we welcome you," Mr. Biden said. "Join us in teaching a lesson to those absolutists."
…The state assemblywoman -- who has bucked the party on abortion, gay marriage, union "card check" legislation and the economic stimulus bill -- endorsed Mr. Owens on Sunday, while Republican leaders in Washington threw their support behind Mr. Hoffman. Her name sparked tremendous applause among Owens supporters gathered at the North Side Improvement League.
"We don't want to go back to the failed Bush economic agenda and ideological approach to governing," Mr. Owens said. "It's clear that my opponent has come to embrace the latter..."
By Cloe Axelson

credit : barackobama.com

Premiering Tuesday: "By the People"

2009-11-02T23:41:00.000-08:00

By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

Call Time

2009-11-02T18:37:00.000-08:00

For voters in many parts of the country, tomorrow is election day. This weekend brought huge news out of New York's 23rd congressional district -- Republican Dede Scozzafava suspended her campaign, leaving a two-way race between Democrat Bill Owens and Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman.

And yesterday, Scozzafava endorsed Bill Owens -- President Obama's choice -- calling Owens the one candidate left who "understands this district and its people, and when he represents us in Congress he will put our interests first."

In a special election like this, turnout is everything -- tomorrow's outcome could be decided by just a handful of votes. We need your help to call Bill Owens supporters and make sure they get out to vote tomorrow.

Call Bill Owens supporters in NY-23 and remind them to vote tomorrow.

Thousands of OFA supporters have made calls using our online "Neighbor to Neighbor" tool in the past year. Just log in (or create an account) and follow the instructions.

In no time, you'll be on the phone with an Owens supporter who is grateful for the reminder to vote -- and you'll have a tremendous impact on a key special election from the comfort of your own home.

A week ago, President Obama wrote folks in New York to announce his support for Bill Owens:

As I work to change the tone of our nation's politics and end the petty partisanship that has dominated Washington for too long, I'll need the help of leaders like Bill.

But my support will only take Bill so far. As we learned last year, true change doesn't come from folks in Washington, but from the dedication and energy of people like you.

We proved last year that thousands of volunteers knocking on doors and making phone calls can accomplish anything. And today, we need your help again.

Call Owens supporters and remind them to vote tomorrow.

By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

Remember?

2009-11-02T12:39:00.000-08:00

November 4th, 2008, and the final days leading up to it, is a time I will never forget.

After 19 months of working to help elect Barack Obama, what I remember most from that final stretch are the stories that came in from the field, from volunteers like you.

Working on the campaign headquarters blog, I saw countless inspirational stories -- from volunteers on their final weekend GOTV canvasses, folks who had driven from their home to faraway battleground states, and those who watched election returns in North Carolina, Indiana, and Virginia, and saw their states turn blue for the first time in a generation. I heard stories that poured in from across the country, each with a unique perspective on how things were going.

One year later, after Obama for America launched Organizing for America, we're still working as hard as ever on the campaign for health insurance reform, but we wanted to take this anniversary to stop and reflect on what all of us accomplished together.

Can you share a brief story about your best memory of the final days of the campaign?

We'll be featuring some of the stories on the headquarters blog to help folks reminisce and remember why we all continue to fight for change.

I know that the larger story of that day one year ago is made up of countless smaller stories. Please send in yours today.

By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

Morning News

2009-11-02T08:57:00.000-08:00

From the New York Times

After months of plodding work by five Congressional committees and weeks of back-room bargaining by Democratic leaders, President Obama’s arms-length strategy on health care appears to be paying dividends, with the House and the Senate poised to take up legislation to insure nearly all Americans.

Debate in the House is expected to begin this week, and the Senate will soon take up its version. Democratic leaders and senior White House officials are sounding increasingly confident that Mr. Obama will sign legislation overhauling the nation’s health care system — a goal that has eluded American presidents for decades.

The Senate Finance Committee chairman, Max Baucus of Montana, described “a sense of inevitability, the sense that, yes, we’re going to pass health reform.” In interviews, senior advisers to the president said the progress on Capitol Hill vindicated Mr. Obama’s strategy of leaving the details up to lawmakers, though they are wary of sounding overconfident.

From US News & World Report

President Obama is replicating what all his recent predecessors have done at this time of year. He is stumping for candidates who support his policies, raising money for his allies and his party, and pressuring Congress to pass his programs. The difference is that Obama has raised expectations among some Democrats that he is a miracle worker who can mobilize his vaunted network of supporters on behalf of various candidates on November 3…

…Organizing for America, Obama's political organization that is now part of the Democratic National Committee, has been working behind the scenes to boost some candidates. The group sent an E-mail last week to thousands of Obama supporters urging them to vote for Bill Owens, the Democratic candidate in a hotly contested congressional race for an open seat in upstate New York.

In the end, all these races will most likely be determined by state and local issues and the quality of the individual campaigns, rather than the Obama factor, which Republican strategists argue doesn't really exist because they say Obama simply can't transfer his support to anyone else…

By Cloe Axelson

credit : barackobama.com

One Year Ago

2009-11-01T16:42:00.000-08:00

From OFA Deputy Director Jeremy Bird:

One year ago today, we were in the homestretch of the Obama for America campaign. I had been organizing on the ground in Ohio for months, with hundreds of incredible -- and exhausted -- staff, and thousands and thousands of amazing volunteers.

We were hopeful, but we didn't take anything for granted. As we watched the victorious results of your hard work come in -- state-by-state, county-by-county, precinct-by-precinct -- we were completely elated. I'm sure you felt the same way.

But that work wasn't finished, and it still isn't. That night, President-Elect Obama told us that the election victory was only the beginning of the change we all sought -- and today, through Organizing for America, we're fighting just as hard to make health insurance reform a reality, this year. But while we seek to live up to the President's words, we're planning to gather together to reconnect, celebrate, and remember that moment, last year, when we won a historic victory.

So this week, we're holding reunion events across the country for folks who were involved in the campaign. Can you go to one near you?

Our current fight for real health insurance reform is just as important as last year's campaign. But we did a special thing together, and sometimes it's important to stop and reflect on that. I hope you can join us:

http://my.barackobama.com/ReunionAttend

My best,

Jeremy

Jeremy Bird
Deputy Director
Organizing for America
By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

Weekly Address: Milestones on the Economy and the Recovery Act

2009-10-31T10:09:00.000-07:00

By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

The Recovery Act is Working

2009-10-30T17:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we learned that GDP had grown at an annual rate of 3.5 percent during the third quarter, the first time the economy had grown in more than a year.

Today new reports confirm that the Recovery Act is responsible for more than 1 million jobs so far – and is on-track to create and save a total of at least 3.5 million jobs by next fall. The reports (which are required by Congress) were submitted by state and local governments, private companies, community organizations and other recipients of Recovery funds. The reports indicate 640,329 jobs have been created or saved, on a little less than half of stimulus spending to-date.

The majority of the jobs reported today were in the construction and education sectors -- about 325,000 of the jobs reported were in education and more than 80,000 of the jobs are in construction.

Jared Bernstein, Vice President Biden’s Chief Economist and the Executive Director of the Middle Class Task Force, has a great post on the White House blog about today's news. You can access the reports at Recovery.gov.

By Cloe Axelson

credit : barackobama.com

Morning News

2009-10-30T09:21:00.000-07:00

From ABC News:

The Obama administration's $787 billion stimulus bill directly saved or created about 650,000 jobs as of the end of last month, administration officials announced this morning.

The numbers come from Congressionally-mandated reports submitted earlier this month by tens of thousands of state and local governments, private companies, colleges, universities, and community organizations nationwide, administration officials said, with the majority of the funds coming from state governments.

Factoring jobs indirectly created from the stimulus -- not reflected in these numbers -- an administration official says in a statement that "because these reports show that less than half of the spending through that date created or saved about 650,000 jobs, they confirm government and private forecaster’s estimates that overall Recovery Act spending has created and saved at least 1 million jobs."

Moreover, the administration emphasized, these reports do not reflect the job impact of the stimulus plan's tax cuts, direct payments to individuals, and grants and awards of amounts under $25,000 per recipient. Nor, officials cautioned, do they reflect the indirect job impact of the funds, such as when employers for stimulus projects hired to meet new demand or when hired workers spent their paychecks...

From the Associated Press:

Cheered by President Barack Obama, House Democrats rolled out landmark legislation Thursday to extend health care to tens of millions who lack coverage, impose sweeping new restrictions on the insurance industry and create a government-run option to compete with private insurers.

The measure "covers 96 percent of all Americans, and it puts affordable coverage in reach for millions of uninsured and underinsured families, lowering health care costs for all of us," boasted Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., at a ceremony attended by dozens of Democratic lawmakers. She spoke on the steps of the Capitol, not far from where Obama issued his inaugural summons for Congress to act more than nine months ago…

Broad in scope, the House Democrats' bill attempts to build on the current system of employer-provided health care. It would require big companies to cover their employees and include federal subsidies to help small companies provide insurance for theirs, as well. Most individuals would be required to carry insurance, and much of the money in the legislation is dedicated to subsidies for those at lower incomes to help them afford coverage.

For those at even lower incomes, the bill provides for an expansion of Medicaid, the state-federal health program for the poor. Adults up to 150 percent of the poverty level -- individuals making up to $16,245 and a family of four up to $33,075 -- would be covered, a provision estimated to add 15 million to Medicaid.

One of the bill's major features is a new national insurance market, in which private companies could sell policies that meet federally mandated benefit levels, the government would offer competing coverage and consumers could shop for the policy that best met their needs.

From West Virginia Public Broadcasting:

...Meagan Gardner is the state director of Organizing for America, a grassroots organization that sponsored the bus tour.

“We’re taking to the streets and talking to people about health care, and President Obama’s plan for health care," she said. “He wants to create stability and security for all, and options for people who don’t have any, and make sure costs go down for absolutely everyone.”

At each stop, speakers gave presentations about the need for reform.

In Fairmont, registered nurse Crystal Copeland talked about her struggle to get adequate health care coverage after being diagnosed with rheumatory arthritis.

With what insurers classify as having a pre-existing condition, Copeland’s medical bills are high. She choked back tears as she spoke to the crowd.

By Cloe Axelson

credit : barackobama.com

An OoOoObama Halloween

2009-10-29T17:49:00.000-07:00

Report Objectionable Content

Not a moment passes at Organizing For America without volunteers and leaders across the country taking their creativity to the next level. Last week, during our October 20 Day of Action, we had students launching ideas in Ohio and neighbors working together in Michigan to create one of the strongest advocacy pushes in the history of OFA. Once again, this Halloween, we want to call on you to put on your creative hats (it'll look great with that costume) and show us your carving skills!

A pumpkin can be many things; for some, its decoration. For others it's what your grandmother calls you while she's pinching your cheeks. Here at OFA, we think a pumpkin on your front porch can also be a way to show your support for health reform! Last year on October 31, four days before we elected Barack Obama as our 44th President, individuals carved images and messages into their festive orange pumpkins. Our friends at YesWeCarve.com showcased the amazing results:

We want you to send us pictures of your carved pumpkins! You can recreate some of the carvings above. Click here for some stencils, or come up with your own! Send us pictures to halloween2009@dnc.org. We are so close to the one year election anniversary mark, and we are close to making health insurance reform a reality. Bring your friends, family, and (b)roommates together and make a party out of carving your message to show your community your support for reform NOW. Let's scare the naysayers away!

Instead of another bad Halloween joke, I'll just leave the creativity in your hands....

Be sure to send us pictures!

By Rohit from Washington, DC

credit : barackobama.com

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Unveils The Affordable Health Care for America Act

2009-10-29T12:01:00.000-07:00

Speaker Pelosi unveiled the House’s final version of health insurance reform legislation – The Affordable Health Care For America Act - in front of the U.S. Capitol this morning, marking another historic step in the on-going effort to pass reform this year.

The bill delivers on President Obama’s goals for reform: increased security and stability for those who have insurance; quality, affordable choices for those who don’t; and lowering the skyrocketing costs of health care for American families, businesses and our government itself.

Here’s an excerpt from the President's statement this morning:

“I congratulate the House of Representatives on the introduction of the Affordable Health Care for America Act, another critical milestone in the effort to reform our health care system…
“The House legislation includes critical reforms to the insurance industry, so that Americans will no longer have to worry that they will be denied coverage, or that their coverage will be dropped or watered down when they need it most. I’m also pleased that the bill includes a public option offered in an exchange. As I’ve said throughout this process, a public option that competes with private insurers is the best way to ensure choice and competition that are so badly needed in today’s market. And the House bill clearly meets two of the fundamental criteria I have set out: it is fully paid for and will reduce the deficit in the long term.”

The New York Times reported:

The bill would require nearly everyone by 2013 to sign up for health coverage either through their employer, a government program or a new kind of purchasing pool called an exchange. Tax credits would be available for most of those buying coverage through the exchange. They would have the option of picking a new government plan or private insurance.
During the transition years from 2010-2013, a temporary government program would help people turned down by private insurers because of medical problems, lawmakers said. After that, insurers no longer could refuse to provide coverage to the sick, nor could they charge more because of poor health of the insured.
The plan also calls for a significant expansion of Medicaid, the federal-state health program for low-income people. And it would impose a requirement on employers to offer insurance to their workers or face penalties.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the House bill would cost $894 billion over 10 years and extend insurance coverage to 36 million, covering 96 percent of Americans. It is expected to cut the deficit by $30 billion in the first 10 years.

Speaker Pelosi has said she expects to send the bill to the floor for a vote before November 11.

By Cloe Axelson

credit : barackobama.com

Morning News

2009-10-29T09:13:00.000-07:00

From the New York Times:

When the Obama administration proposed canceling a host of expensive weapons systems last spring, some of the military industry’s allies in Congress assumed, as they had in the past, that they would have the final say.
But as the president signed a $680 billion military policy bill on Wednesday, it was clear that he had succeeded in paring back nearly all of the programs and setting a tone of greater restraint than the Pentagon had seen in many years.
Now the question is whether Mr. Obama can sustain that push next year, when the midterm elections are likely to make Congress more resistant to further cuts and job losses.
White House officials say Mr. Obama took advantage of a rare political moment to break through one of Washington’s most powerful lobbies and trim more weapons systems than any president had in decades.

From the Redlands Daily Facts:

Cal State San Bernardino student Torrey Reed was only too happy to oblige when an Obama organizer stopped him on a campus walkway last week and asked him to immediately open his cell phone and tell his senator he supported health care reform.
The organizer gave him the number and told him what to expect from the staffer who answered.
"It's the first time I've felt like I really had an impact on something," said Reed, 21, of Moreno Valley.
Similar, brief interactions occurred a few hundred thousand times last week as an army of volunteers fanned out across the country to drum up support for President Barak Obama's top political priority…
The sheer scope and sophistication of local organizing is breaking new political ground, experts say, and the health care debate is its first real test."
National party committees have done issue campaigns in the past," said Jack Pitney, a professor of political science at Claremont McKenna College. "But Organizing For America is unusual in its degree of organization and its funding."

From the Washington Post:

When a gay Wyoming college student was slain in 1998, congressional Democrats pledged to broaden the definition of federal hate crimes by the end of that year to include attacks based on sexual orientation.
The effort instead turned into a decade-long proxy war between liberal groups that want to expand gay rights and conservative groups that do not. But Wednesday, President Obama signed the bill and then hosted a White House reception for gay activists and the parents of the slain student, 21-year-old Matthew Shepard.
"After more than a decade of opposition and delay, we've passed inclusive hate crimes legislation to help protect our citizens from violence based on what they look like, who they love, how they pray or who they are," Obama said after the signing…
The legislation extends provisions first passed in 1968 that make it a federal crime to target individuals because of their race, religion or national origin. Under the law, judges can impose harsher penalties on crimes that are motivated by such animus, and the Justice Department can help local police departments investigate alleged hate crimes.

From USA Today:

President Obama made a midnight dash to this air base Wednesday to honor the return of fallen soldiers, absorbing the ultimate cost of war as the United States endures its deadliest month of the Afghanistan campaign.
On a clear fall night, Obama flew by Marine One helicopter to Dover Air Force Base to greet the flag-draped cases of 18 Americans killed in action this week.
After landing, the president, wearing a dark topcoat, got into a motorcade to a base chapel, where he met privately with families of the fallen Americans. He had arrived on the base at 12:34 a.m. Thursday and was expected to be back at the White House before dawn.
Obama is in the midst of an intense, weekslong review of his war strategy in Afghanistan…
Obama meets Friday with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the military leaders who would have the responsibility for carrying out his strategy decisions. White House officials said Obama keep considering his options with advisers over the next couple of weeks, and other war council meetings may still be called during that period.
By Cloe Axelson

credit : barackobama.com

President Obama Signs Inclusive Hate Crimes Legislation

2009-10-28T15:46:00.000-07:00

Today President Obama signed into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, legislation that will extend new federal protections to people who are victims of violent crime because of their sex or sexual orientation. It is an update to the federal hate crimes statute that Congress first passed in 1968. For the first time, the law that previously protected people from attacks motivated by race, religion or ethnicity will also protect gay, lesbian, transgender and disabled people.

The President will host a reception commemorating the enactment of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act in the East Room of the White House this evening. This afternoon, before signing the bill, he said:

"...After more than a decade of opposition and delay, we've passed inclusive hate crimes legislation to help protect our citizens from violence based on what they look like, who they love, how they pray, or who they are.
"I promised Judy Shepard, when she saw me in the Oval Office, that this day would come, and I'm glad that she and her husband Dennis could join us for this event. I'm also honored to have the family of the late Senator Ted Kennedy, who fought so hard for this legislation. And Vicki and Patrick, Kara, everybody who's here, I just want you all to know how proud we are of the work that Ted did to help this day -- make this day possible..."

Here’s an excerpt from an editorial in the Washington Post this morning:

PRESIDENT OBAMA is scheduled to sign Wednesday what is being described as the nation's first significant pro-gay rights legislation. Attached to the defense authorization act, the measure would add sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability to the list of protected classes under the 1969 federal hate-crimes law…
The law doesn't outlaw bigotry or "thought crimes." It applies only to "violent acts motivated by" the characteristics of the victim -- acts, not thoughts or speech. But crimes that target someone because of race or sexual orientation are more than offenses against that individual. They can terrorize whole communities.
By Cloe Axelson

credit : barackobama.com

Morning News

2009-10-28T09:21:00.000-07:00

From the Wall Street Journal:

The Obama administration launched a clean-energy blitz Tuesday, with President Barack Obama sweeping into this Central Florida hamlet to unveil $3.4 billion in stimulus grants for advanced electricity-grid projects and Vice President Joe Biden traveling to his home state of Delaware to open an electric-automobile plant.

The administration Tuesday released a list of about 100 companies and communities in 45 states and territories that will receive federal subsidies to modernize the electric grid. The administration promised the projects would create "tens of thousands of jobs."

When combined with funds from utility customers, the federal program is expected to inject more than $8 billion into grid-modernization efforts nationally, administration officials said. Even so, that represents just a fraction of what would be needed to bring the entire U.S. electrical grid into the digital age….

Tuesday's twin events, and last Friday's presidential visit to a wind-energy-testing lab in Boston, signal a renewed push on energy issues by the Obama administration, after weeks during which energy and climate change have taken a back seat to fights over health care and future strategy in Afghanistan. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held its first hearing Tuesday on long-stalled climate-change legislation…

From Politico:

President Obama exhorted Virginia Democrats Tuesday to get behind their underdog gubernatorial nominee Creigh Deeds, urging them to shake off the complacency that has plagued the party this year.

Citing polls that show Deeds trailing Republican Bob McDonnell a week before the election, Obama emphasized to a raucous crowd here the importance of electing another Democratic governor to succeed his close friend, DNC Chairman and Gov. Tim Kaine.

“I don’t believe in can’t, I don’t believe in giving up, I don’t believe that we would turn our back on the progress that Tim Kaine has made here in Virginia,” Obama told about 5,000 rally-goers in a college basketball arena…

Obama delivered precisely the message Deeds has sought to leave with voters: that the state senator would govern in the same sort of moderate, competent tradition of Kaine and his predecessor, now-Sen. Mark Warner. “You’ll have a choice: you can decide to break that tradition of good stewardship or you can continue with that opportunity,” Obama said, saying that Deeds was cut from “the very same cloth” as the two governors….

“Are you looking for slick?” Obama asked. “Or are you looking for somebody who's going to be fighting for you?” Perhaps inspired by the largest crowd of his campaign, Deeds delivered an impassioned speech that bore little trace of his usually-halting speaking style. Like Obama, he urged the audience to ignore his deficit. “If I believed every poll I ever looked at, I would have quit this process a long time ago,” Deeds said…

From USA Today:

States have reported using stimulus money to create or save more than 388,000 jobs so far this year, buttressing the Obama administration's claim that the $787 billion plan has had a significant impact on the economy.

That total, based on a USA TODAY review of reports from 33 states and Puerto Rico, includes teachers, construction workers, and others whose jobs were funded by stimulus money awarded to states. The administration plans Friday to release reports from all 50 states, providing the broadest accounting yet of the stimulus plan's impact…
Still, Frank Lichtenberg of the Columbia Business School says the figures show a significant economic impact. Obama's Council of Economic Advisors estimated that the stimulus had saved or created 600,000 to 1.1 million jobs. Lichtenberg said the states' reports "make that sound like a reasonable estimate."

From ScreenCrave:

Entertainment and politics have merged once again! Health care reform supporters have entered over a thousand videos in a competition for the best 30-second TV spot to support Obama on his health care mission. This morning, the top 20 spots were announced and now a group of Hollywood celebrities including Will.i.am, Olivia Wilde, Seth MacFarlane, Dule Hill, John Cho, Rosario Dawson, and more will pick the winner and someone will have their message turned into a national television ad paid for by Organizing for America.
By Cloe Axelson

credit : barackobama.com

Health Reform Video Challenge: Open for Voting

2009-10-27T16:04:00.000-07:00

New Media Director Natalie Foster just sent out the following email, announcing the top 20 finalists -- as well as the opening of public voting -- for the Health Reform Video Challenge:

We just finished going through the submissions to OFA's Health Reform Video Challenge, and they're great. There are personal stories that grab your heart, brilliant summaries of what reform would really mean, and plenty of biting satire that calls out the insurance lobbyists.

Out of nearly a thousand excellent videos submitted, we're down to the top 20. Now it's your turn to watch the finalists and vote for your favorites -- and then we'll air the winner on national television.

Watch and vote on the finalists now.
The top 20 ads will also be voted on by our panel of experts and artists, including Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am, animator and director Seth MacFarlane, actress Kate Walsh, Obama for America campaign manager David Plouffe, and Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine.

It couldn't be more urgent for us to get these funny, powerful, and eye-opening messages out to the public. As the full Congress begins its final debate on reform, airing the winning video as an ad on national television could help tip the balance toward enacting the changes they've been talking about for years in Washington.

Polls close at midnight on Friday, November 6th, so don't waste a minute: Watch the finalists and vote for your favorites right away.
Thanks, and go get started,

Natalie

Natalie Foster
New Media Director

P.S. -- Help spread the word: After you vote, make sure you send this on to friends and family so they can check out the finalists.

http://my.barackobama.com/VideoChallenge
By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

Senator Reid Announces ‘Opt-Out’ Public Plan

2009-10-26T18:14:00.000-07:00

Earlier today, Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid announced his intention to include a government-run insurance plan with an “opt out” provision in the Senate version of health care legislation. The New York Times reported:

“I’ve concluded, with the support of the White House, Senators Dodd and Baucus, that the best way to move forward is to include a public option with the opt-out provision for states,” Mr. Reid said at a news conference.

“Under this concept, states will be able to determine whether the public option works well for them and will have the ability to opt out if they so choose. I believe that a public option can achieve the goal of bringing meaningful reform to our broken system.”

Shorty after Senator Reid's announcment, the White House released the following statement in support of the work that Congressional leaders have done so far:

“The President congratulates Senator Reid and Chairmen Baucus and Dodd for their hard work on health insurance reform. Thanks to their efforts, we’re closer than we’ve ever been to solving this decades-old problem. And while much work remains, the President is pleased that at the progress that Congress has made. He’s also pleased that the Senate has decided to include a public option for health coverage, in this case with an allowance for states to opt out. As he said to Congress and the nation in September, he supports the public option because it has the potential to play an essential role in holding insurance companies accountable through choice and competition.”
By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

Message from Mitch Stewart: "That was fast"

2009-10-25T16:53:00.000-07:00

From OFA Director Mitch Stewart:

On Thursday, Vice President Biden called out the insurance industry's escalating war on health reform in a special message to OFA, and asked for your help in fighting back.

Sure enough, the insurance industry is already stepping up the attack: Reports just leaked from a closed-door meeting where insurance industry lobbyists frantically warned Republican members of Congress that it was not in their interest to "ever vote for this thing" and said supporting reform is like "giving comfort to the enemy." USA Today is reporting that groups opposing reform are lobbying at "a record pace" -- and the Associated Press notes that they've already spent an astounding $32 million on TV ads this year.

This is what we're up against. President Obama, Vice President Biden, and all of us together through OFA are fighting back -- but success depends on having the resources to win.

Can you chip in $25 or more today to power our campaign?

In this fight, the insurance industry has their war chest and insider lobbyists. We have you. I know who I'm betting on.

Let's win this thing.

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

The President's Weekly Address: "Working with Small Business to Drive Recovery"

2009-10-24T09:43:00.000-07:00

By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

Health Reform Message from First Lady Michelle Obama

2009-10-23T16:52:00.000-07:00

The White House released a new web video today featuring First Lady Michelle Obama. In the video, Mrs. Obama shares a personal story about youngest daughter Sasha’s health scare as a baby and explains why the President’s plan is essential to families and women in particular. The video also features Roxi Griffin, a cancer survivor who’s now being forced to choose between paying for medical tests and being able to afford to stay in her home (so far, she’s choosing her home), and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius who explains how our current health care system discriminates against women when it comes to the services insurance plans cover - often not the services women need - and how they regularly charge women more than men for the same care. Watch it below:

By Cloe Axelson

credit : barackobama.com

Open Thread

2009-10-23T14:16:00.000-07:00

By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

The fight

2009-10-22T17:01:00.000-07:00

Earlier today, Vice President Joe Biden sent out the following email:

We've got a fight on our hands. Powerful insurance companies are pulling out all the stops to defeat the President's plan for health reform. They're spending seven million bucks a week on lobbyists, blanketing the country with deceptive TV ads, and just funded two high-profile "reports" to distort what reform would mean for you.

I know their game. I was in the Senate the last time health reform came around, and I saw the special interests savage our efforts. Frankly, under the old rules of Washington they were nearly impossible to beat. But now, thanks to you, the rules are changing. All the lies, scare tactics and lobbyist shake-downs in the world are no match for the incredible work of Organizing for America supporters like you. That's exactly what frightens them so much -- and it's what Barack and I are counting on.

After decades of false starts, we're now just a short time from finally passing real reform. Every member of Congress will soon have to cast their vote. As real change draws near, you can bet the insurance companies will hold nothing back. That means OFA will need the extra resources to beat back whatever attack they can dream up next. Here's the bottom line: it's not time to let up -- it's time to double down.

Can you donate $25 or more to power OFA's fight for change as we head into the final round?

When I talk about you changing the rules in Washington, here's what I mean: This week, crucial negotiations on Capitol Hill are shaping a comprehensive reform proposal. At the same time, the insurance companies' phony reports are grabbing headlines and their lobbyists are twisting arms. But your work is keeping them from setting us back.

On Tuesday, OFA supporters around the country organized more than 1,000 local outreach events and generated an astounding 330,000 calls to Congress from constituents telling their representatives that "it's time to deliver." From my years in Congress and my conversations with Senate colleagues this week, I can tell you with confidence that your message broke through and you helped keep us on track.

If this fight were only about guaranteeing the choice of secure, quality, affordable care for every American, it would be worth everything we could throw at it. But as Barack reminded us this week, this fight for change is now about something even bigger: a test of whether or not "we as a nation are capable of tackling our toughest challenges, if we can serve the national interest despite the unrelenting efforts of the special interests; if we can still do big things in America."

I believe we can. And Barack believes we can. But what really matters is whether you believe we can. If you do, now is the moment to make it happen. Please contribute today:

https://donate.barackobama.com/FinalRound

Thank you,

Vice President Joe Biden
By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

"Off the hook"

2009-10-21T07:44:00.000-07:00

A message from Mitch Stewart, sent out very late last night:

It's late; I know you've gotten a lot of messages from us recently, and everyone here at OFA headquarters is pretty tired. But the last reports of calls and commitments are just coming in from events on the West Coast, and I wanted to share the news with you.

As you know, we set a big goal: 100,000 calls to Congress placed or committed to in a single day by OFA supporters and allied organizations. By 2:30 p.m., you had crushed it. So, we gulped and said let's go for 200,000, not knowing what would happen. But the calls just kept pouring in -- keeping phones ringing off the hook in congressional offices in D.C. and your representatives' district offices around the country.

Then, OFA supporters gathered in over 1,000 living rooms and community centers from Macon, Georgia to Missoula, Montana. You called hundreds of thousands of key voters in your community and got them to agree to call Congress and speak out for reform, too. President Obama joined in at a call party in New York -- and he had some amazing words of support for the folks like you who make this movement possible.

I'm looking at the numbers, and with almost all of the reports now in, the tally wasn't 200,000 calls placed or pledged -- it was 315,023. You did it.

Take a moment to watch the President's inspiring words to OFA volunteers on this incredible day.
Your voice was overwhelming -- with reports in the media of congressional offices "completely crushed with calls." CBS News described your effort as an "onslaught." And a congressional aide was quoted with a common response, saying their office was deluged by "pretty much non-stop health care calls from OFA."

You set a new OFA record, you caught the national media's attention, and you certainly put Congress on notice. But you know that's not what really matters.

The message I sent earlier talked about a woman, Jenny U., whose insurance company cut off her coverage because they decided her kidney donation to her sick daughter counted as a "pre-existing condition." What really matters is that today you brought America one giant, irreversible step closer to being a place where no one will ever have to suffer that kind of injustice again. That's what all the messages, late nights, and phone calls ultimately add up to. It's what makes everything we do together worthwhile -- and it's why we'll keep fighting together until the job is done.

Watch President Obama's special message to you from a call party in New York:

http://my.barackobama.com/TTDreport

Thank you, so much, for being part of the team.

Sincerely,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

P.S. -- Here are just a few stories from "Time to Deliver" events across the country:

This evening I and three other volunteers got together and made calls. As I was calling, one of the women I spoke with told me that she was inspired by my story -- shared in the email earlier that day -- to get her entire family to call Congress. She didn't know it was me on the phone, but she said she just couldn't stop saying "this isn't right" when she heard my story. It gave me so much hope -- during the evening we made 213 calls and got 64 commitments to call tomorrow.

-Jenny U., Missouri Volunteer

Seeing the tally go up, hearing voter after voter agree to call, and listening to the real excitement people have about finally fixing this broken system, I was reminded why we do this. Each of us can only give so much -- but when we all do it together, we move mountains. Health insurance reform, here we come.

-Sean Knox, California New Media Director

I want to recognize the folks in this room -- and folks watching online -- who are helping us to do exactly that. And I want to thank all the Organizing for America volunteers for making calls, knocking on doors, and keeping up the fight. You know why this is so important. ... We are nearing the finish line -- and with your help, we're going to cross it.

-President Barack Obama
By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

Amazing.

2009-10-20T23:59:00.000-07:00

We wanted to reach 100,000 calls to Congress. We more than tripled it.

What... a... night. Here in New York, people were lined up for blocks just to catch a glimpse of what was going on. Individuals were greeted at the door with a long, rectangular card. Each card had information about the President's plan as well as five unique numbers for event attendees to call.

The evening started off with New York State Director of Organizing for America, Melissa DeRosa, giving the 101 on what OFA does and why it is so important. While she was saying it, you were doing it. After Melissa, Ugly Betty actress and Generation 44 committee member America Ferrera took the stage as a voice for youth activists nationwide. She emphasized the importance of young people taking part in the dialogue and action that improves our country.

Following America, Dr. Manisha Sharma spoke to the crowd as both a physician and a patient. Dr. Sharma spoke about the importance of health insurance reform, and reminded us that healthcare is a right, not a privilege. She committed, as a physician, to support health insurance reform now, and re-expressed President Obama's statement that now is the "Time to Deliver."

OFA then took the stage. Julia Shannon, the OFA New York Field Director, led an open phonebank among the crowd with her colleagues Keith Kinch and Geoff Berman. Cell phones were handed out, and people started calling through the lists on their cards, asking even more New Yorkers to contact Congress themselves, in the true spirit of Organizing for America.

The phonebank was a perfect transition to introduce Democratic National Committee Chairman, Governor Tim Kaine. The Chairman recognized Organizing For America and the importance of their work at the DNC. He also highlighted all the energy that you have shown moving from the Presidential race to the new health reform campaign.

Next up: President Obama brought his energy (and his mop) to the stage.

President Obama thanked everyone from OFA, both present here at the Hammerstein Ballroom and on our webcast, for their continued knocking on doors and phone calls. He reminded us that even the most restrictive version of health reform yet passed through committee would guarantee coverage for over 29 million uninsured Americans. He welcomed honest debate and bipartisan participation, but drew the line at rooting for failure. He explained that when we all have work to do to clean up the mess we inherited, it's not time to stand around on the sidelines and complain, it's time to grab a mop. The crowd erupted in cheers. The spirit of participation and the excitement was truly incredible.

Thousands of people joined in, and still, we have events going on coast to coast. This is what organizing is all about. Thanks for an amazing night.

Rohit

By Rohit from Washington, DC

credit : barackobama.com

Watch Live: President Obama at a "Time to Deliver" Call Party

2009-10-20T19:57:00.000-07:00

President Obama is scheduled to speak live at a New York call party starting at 8:05 p.m. Click here to watch a live webcast of the event.

By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

We're Fired Up and Ready to Go for the President's Speech!

2009-10-20T18:39:00.000-07:00

We are fired up and ready to go here in New York City! We hit our 100,000 goal EASILY today, and still so many of you are active on the phones. Can you believe it? As a reflection of your hard work, we moved our goal up to 150,000 calls to members of Congress, and we ended up beating that, too.

Now, we have put the bar at 200,000 calls, and you broke through that as well! This is unbelievable.

With that said, we still have a few hours to go before the president speaks. It's been amazing watching the results of all the events going on across the country.

You can still be a part of this milestone day. Click here to find an event near you. Click here to call your member of Congress now.

On an interesting note, I was able to stand at the podium where the president will speak and saw the view he’ll see while addressing the audience.

Pretty amazing. Enjoy the pictures.

People are already lined up outside of the venue, fired up about the amazing things you've done on the ground today. The president will be speaking tonight at 8:00 p.m. EDT and you can watch it here live.

By Rohit from Washington, DC

credit : barackobama.com

Time to Deliver in Michigan: Antrim County and Detroit

2009-10-20T16:03:00.000-07:00

Volunteers across the state of Michigan are taking part part in a national day of action to support President Obama’s plan for health reform, calling on their neighbors to ask them to tell their representatives that it's time to deliver on health reform.

The Antrim Women’s Democratic Club is reaching out to other women in their community in support for reform. Volunteers like Lynne want to make sure other women know that reform will end discrimination for gender and pre-existing conditions and give greater choice to American families, all while lowering costs to American Families. Lynne also sees this as an opportunity for Americans supporting reform to remind Washington of their seat at the table. “It’s important to be involved in this debate and to talk to our representativess because we elected them," she expalined. “They work for us!”

Volunteers in Detroit have been calling their neighbors since noon. This is Jeffernell's first time in the Organizing for America Detroit office, but she decided that she had to get involved now. "I did not have a lot of time to give, but I believed I needed to do something, no matter how small or how little. So today, inbetween scheduled appointments that I had downtown, I decided to stop in to make some calls."

By Garrett from Lansing, MI

credit : barackobama.com

Reports: "Phones have been ringing off the hook"

2009-10-20T15:50:00.000-07:00

The Huffington Post reports:

It's not even noon on the West Coast and already Capitol Hill staffers say they're getting nonstop calls from constituents in support of President Barack Obama's health insurance reform. At about 2:15 EST, Organizing for America (OFA) surpassed it's goal of 100,000 phone calls to Congress, each one imploring representatives to vote for reform.

The nationwide "Time to Deliver on Health Reform" event is the most massive outpouring of support from Obama supporters since Election Day 2008.

Senate Democratic aides told HuffPost that their phones have been ringing off the hook. "We're getting completely crushed with calls, jamming our phone lines from the moment we opened," said one aide.

Another said they'd gotten "pretty much non-stop health care calls from OFA."
By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

100,000

2009-10-20T14:36:00.000-07:00

Amazing.

By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

An Update from The Big Apple

2009-10-20T14:08:00.000-07:00

We just did some sound and video checks here in NYC for our event tonight (before getting kicked out for a Secret Service sweep). The venue is beautiful, and volunteers are looking forward to hearing from the President tonight. Make sure you check out the webcast tonight, live from NYC.

Some facts on the ground:

• We have over 1,100 events taking place around the country (find one near you)

• We are racing toward our goal of 100,000. Keep the calls and commits coming!

• NYC Pizza is definitely better than any other pizza I've ever had.

Today has started off on a very exciting foot; thanks for leading the way.

By Rohit from Washington, DC

credit : barackobama.com

On the Ground in Iowa: It's Time to Deliver Health Reform

2009-10-20T11:30:00.000-07:00

Big day for OFA today -- in Iowa we have events going on across the state, and our staff couldn't be more excited. Our first event is a Senior Phone Bank in Cedar Rapids at the home of Lynn and Bob Ocken, which we will have updates and pictures from later today. I will also be live blogging from our Des Moines phone bank at Smokey Row restaurant this afternoon. Thank you to our Community Organizers and volunteer leaders that have helped us plan and set up events for this historic day.

We have phone banks in every district -- ranging from campus events at UNI and Iowa to phone banks in Decorah, Council Bluffs, and Emmetsburg. We also have a dedicated group of nurses in Iowa City that will be reaching out to other nurses here in Iowa from a phone bank at Bobbie Paxton's home.

After months of calling, door knocking, hosting community events, and having conversations with neighbors, our OFA Iowa volunteers are ready to deliver.

What a better way to start the day, then by calling your member of Congress!

Click here to find their number and call now.

By Derek Eadon, Iowa OFA State Director

credit : barackobama.com

50,000

2009-10-20T11:29:00.000-07:00

You can follow the progress at Twitter.com/BarackObama.

ByChristopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

On the Ground: Pennsylvania is Ready to Deliver

2009-10-20T11:28:00.000-07:00

With 34 “Time to Deliver” events taking place across the Keystone State, OFA Pennsylvania is gearing up for an amazing day of citizen action! We just wrapped up our first event of the day, a kickoff conference call with U.S. Representative Allyson Schwartz. Congresswoman Schwartz spoke about the need for health insurance reform and what it means to young adults. Young adults have the highest rate of uninsured of any age group and are disproportionally affected by the country’s broken health insurance system.

Congresswoman Schwartz was joined on the call by three young Pennsylvanians who shared their personal health care stories.

On the call, Eddie, a 23-year-old from Philadelphia, spoke of how upon graduating from college last year he was no longer covered under his parent’s health insurance plan, and the only way he could get insurance was through COBRA. He tried to find individual coverage but no insurance company would cover him due to his pre-existing diabetes condition. His family paid premiums of almost $800 a month to keep him insured. Fortunately, his family was able to scrape together the money until he entered law school this year and could go back on his parent’s plan.

President Obama’s plan for health reform will lift the burden of health insurance for young adults, including allowing young people to stay on their parents’ health insurance plan until they are 26.

There is still time to come out and join us in our fight for health reform -- find an event near you.

If you have a few minutes, you can use our online tool to find the numbers of your representatives and call now.

We'll keep you posted on other events from around the state throughout the day. Let’s go Team PA!

By Kerri

credit : barackobama.com

On the Ground in Ohio: UT Rockets Are Fired Up!

2009-10-20T11:27:00.000-07:00

In preparation for this morning's campus event at the University of Toledo, students and volunteers hosted a sign painting and sidewalk chalking party last night. This morning, students began reaching out to neighbors, friends and family, asking them to call their members of Congress today.

They are fired up and ready to call their members of Congress! Are you?

Keep up the good work UT Rockets!

In just a few hours, volunteers across the country have already made over 45,000 calls!

By Christina from Cleveland, OH

credit : barackobama.com

One Day: 100,000 Calls

2009-10-20T10:03:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! My name is Rohit Malhotra, and I'm the newest member of the online organizing team. Across the country today, volunteers and community organizers are gathering at events and call parties to let Congress know that now is the time to deliver on health reform. We've set a big, public goal: 100,000 calls to Congress placed or committed to in support of health reform in one single day.

The entire Congress will soon be taking up debate on health insurance reform legislation, and it's more important than ever that they hear from the people they represent. If you have a few minutes, you can use our online tool to find the numbers of your representatives and call now.

Throughout the day, we will be featuring stories and pictures from many of these events on the national blog. Students, women, seniors, health care professionals and many others are all getting together to use their voice to push reform now. If you haven't already made plans, there is still time to find an event near you.

I'm in New York City today to attend a phone bank later in the evening hosted by President Obama, along with Democratic Party Chairman Tim Kaine. As a special thank you, President Obama will be speaking with volunteers across the country via webcast later tonight, to encourage and thank volunteers for their role in passing health reform. Stay tuned for more details on tonight's event!

We'll also be updating regularly on the number of calls placed towards today's goal here on the blog, and you can follow the progress on Twitter as well.

Once you've made calls to your representatives, let us know how it went in the comments below.

By Rohit from Washington, DC

credit : barackobama.com

Tuesday: Time to Deliver

2009-10-19T13:16:00.000-07:00

From OFA Deputy Director Jeremy Bird:

With health insurance reform finally ready for consideration before the full Congress, we've set a big goal for this Tuesday: 100,000 calls to Congress made or committed to in a single day. We'll make our voices heard above the din created by the insurance industry's campaign of misinformation and fear and make sure our representatives know it's finally time to deliver on health reform.

But here's the thing -- if we're going to get there, we need your help to reach out to friendly folks who still need to speak up in support of reform.

We're holding "Time to Deliver" call parties and neighborhood outreach events across the country. We'll get together in living rooms and community centers, and reach out to supportive voters whose voices are particularly critical in this debate. We'll talk to them about the President's plan, and then we'll ask them to call on their representatives to support reform and thank those already doing so.

And the President will be joining all of the events that evening via an exclusive webcast -- please find an event near you and RSVP today.

You don't need to have any experience to attend a Time to Deliver event. The host will have everything set up for you, so it will just be a great evening of reaching out to voters with your friends and neighbors and making a tremendous difference.

We've set a big goal, but if we hit it, two things will happen: we'll have set a new record for contacting Congress in a single day, and the phones in our representatives' offices will be ringing off the hook the whole day, meaning our voices cannot be ignored.

With more than 1,000 events happening on Tuesday, we've got everything set to reach our goal -- but we need you to make it happen.

Please RSVP for an event by you:

http://my.barackobama.com/AttendTTD

See you out there,

Jeremy

Jeremy Bird
Deputy Director
Organizing for America

ByChristopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

Health Reform Video Challenge Deadline: Midnight Tonight

2009-10-18T12:40:00.000-07:00

The deadline for entries into the OFA Health Reform Video Challenge is midnight tonight.

Making a 30-second ad is a unique opportunity to add your voice and your creativity to the health reform debate. The top 20 videos will be seen by millions of OFA supporters nationwide, and the winning entry will be aired on national television.

Supporters across the country will have the opportunity to view and weigh in on their favorites, alongside a panel of judges that includes Black Eyed Peas front man will.i.am; director and animator Seth MacFarlane; actors Kate Walsh, John Cho, Rosario Dawson, Olivia Wilde, and Dulé Hill; Democratic National Committee Chairman and Virginia Governor Tim Kaine; and David Plouffe, campaign manager for President Obama's campaign.

We're looking for videos that are serious or funny, animated or live action, simple or complex -- anything creative and powerful that makes the case in 30 seconds.

You can see the full details, and submit your entry, at BarackObama.com/VideoChallenge

ByChristopher Hass
credit : barackobama.com

The President's Weekly Address: "Taking on the Insurance Companies"

2009-10-17T09:17:00.000-07:00

ByChristopher Hass
credit : barackobama.com

On the Air: "Every Day"

2009-10-15T13:41:00.000-07:00

Our doctors and nurses ad has been creating quite a buzz. It's called "Every Day," and it's up on the air now.

The spot elevates the voices of two individuals who see the need for reform firsthand, every day: Dr. Jeremy Spinks, an emergency room physician from Virginia, and Elizabeth Prah, an emergency room nurse from Maryland. Like millions of other doctors and nurses nationwide, they're passionate about enacting real reform, this year.

The Washington Post, ABC News, Huffington Post, CBS News, and several outlets have all covered the powerful ad. But we wanted to make sure you got to see it for yourself:

Thanks again to everyone who chipped in to get it on the air!

ByChristopher Hass
credit : barackobama.com

It's time to deliver

2009-10-14T19:04:00.000-07:00

An quick update from OFA Director Mitch Stewart:

Last week, Jeremy asked you to host a "Time to Deliver" Call Party this Tuesday, October 20th, to help us set an OFA record of 100,000 calls to Congress placed or committed to in a single day.

Now, I wanted to share some exciting news: President Obama will be joining your party via an exclusive live webcast to encourage your guests and thank you for your role in passing health reform.

These call parties couldn't come at a more important time -- the final Senate committee just passed their version of the plan, so the debate is about to move to the full Congress for the first time. And the insurance industry lobby is throwing everything they've got at us to distort the issues and derail progress. Our voices must be heard.

Hosting a Time to Deliver Call Party on the 20th is an easy but extremely powerful way you can help pass health reform in 2009. So are you in?

http://my.barackobama.com/deliver

Thanks so much,

Mitch
ByChristopher Hass
credit : barackobama.com

Reality Check on AHIP's Health Insurance Report

2009-10-13T10:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, on the eve of a key vote in the Senate Finance Committee, the insurance industry group America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) released a report falsely suggesting that health care costs would increase with health reform. As Linda Douglass of the White House Health Reform Office explained:

"It is hard to take it seriously. The analysis completely ignores critical policies will lower costs for those who have insurance, expand coverage and provide affordable health insurance options to millions of Americans who are priced out of today's health insurance market or are locked out by unfair insurance company practices."

AHIP is a Washington, D.C., based association that has been fighting efforts to enact reform all year, and the study released yesterday relies on selective and subjective analysis throughout. The White House quickly responded with a detailed look at the report, debunking the key claims:

AHIP CLAIM: Health reform will cause health care premiums to rise faster than they would under the current system.

REALITY: The Congressional Budget Office and other analysts confirm that the current Senate Finance Committee (SFC) health reform proposal will lower health care premiums in the exchange and make health insurance more affordable for families.

AHIP CLAIM: Taxes on the highest cost health plans – so called "Cadillac" plans – will raise the cost of employer-based coverage. This is the single largest driver of AHIP’s assumed $4,000 premium increase in the large group market.

REALITY: The majority of health economists from all parts of the political spectrum have arrived at precisely the opposite conclusion — a tax on insurers that provide the highest cost health plans will contribute to lowering premiums. Even AHIP’s study acknowledges that insurers are like to lower premiums in response to this tax change.

AHIP CLAIM: The failure to enact an individual responsibility requirement will increase costs in the individual market by creating an incentive for people to wait until they are sick to purchase coverage. This is the single largest driver of AHIP’s assumed 49% premium increase in the individual market.

REALITY: AHIP incorrectly downplays the responsibility requirement in the SFC proposal, which, in the context of comprehensive reform, will increase coverage by providing an incentive for the uninsured to enter the system.

AHIP CLAIM: Reductions in Medicare spending will raise costs for families. Part of the premium increases that the AHIP analysis assumes stems from "provider payment cuts" in Medicare and Medicaid, leading to cost-shifting onto private plans.

REALITY: Health insurance reform will strengthen Medicare. Once again, the assumptions in the AHIP analysis are not consistent with the facts of the bill that they are analyzing.

You can read the full Reality Check on the AHIP report at WhiteHouse.gov.

ByChristopher Hass
credit : barackobama.com

Video: President Obama Speaks at the Human Rights Campaign National Dinner

2009-10-12T10:26:00.000-07:00

ByChristopher Hass
credit : barackobama.com

The President's Weekly Address: "New Momentum for Health Reform"

2009-10-10T10:26:00.000-07:00

ByChristopher Hass
credit : barackobama.com

Host a "Time to Deliver" Call Party

2009-10-09T18:04:00.000-07:00

From OFA Deputy Director Jeremy Bird:

After months of negotiations, the entire House and Senate will soon start debating the final plans for health insurance reform. You've called your representatives, but we can't stop there -- if the American people are going to drown out the D.C. lobbyists, we need everyone who supports reform to weigh in. So here's the plan:

On Tuesday, October 20th, OFA volunteers will gather at "Time to Deliver" Call Parties in living rooms like yours across the country. We'll call friendly voters whose voices matter in this debate, talk to them about the President's plan, and ask them to call on their representatives to support reform.

Our goal? 100,000 calls to Congress placed or committed to in a single day. It's an ambitious goal, but the stakes couldn't be higher -- and if we hit it, we cannot be ignored.

The whole plan begins by finding a place for OFA volunteers to gather -- in Chicago and across the country. And that's why I'm turning to you.

Can you host a Time to Deliver Call Party on Tuesday, October 20th?
Hosting a call party is surprisingly easy. No special experience required, and we'll provide simple step-by-step instructions. If you can print out some call sheets and info about the President's plan -- and make sure volunteers have a comfortable place to sit -- you can host a successful Call Party.

You can invite your friends, we'll invite other OFA supporters in your area, and together you'll have a great time while making a huge difference.

If we can get 100,000 calls to Congress placed or committed to on a single day it will set a new OFA record -- and really shake up the debate in Washington. But it won't be easy. Everything hinges on finding volunteer leaders like you who are willing to open your doors and give supporters in your area a place to gather.

Can we count on you? Please sign up to host a Time to Deliver Call Party on October 20th.
Thanks for making it happen,

Jeremy

Jeremy Bird
Deputy Director
Organizing for America
By Christopher Hass
credit : barackobama.com

"A Call to Action": President Obama On Winning the Nobel Peace Prize

2009-10-09T14:20:00.000-07:00

In reacting to the news this morning that he had won the Nobel Peace Prize, the President struck a note of humility and recognized that the award was a nod to a vision of what is to come:

I am both surprised and deeply humbled by the decision of the Nobel Committee. Let me be clear: I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments, but rather as an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations.

To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who've been honored by this prize -- men and women who've inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace.

But I also know that this prize reflects the kind of world that those men and women, and all Americans, want to build -- a world that gives life to the promise of our founding documents. And I know that throughout history, the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievement; it's also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes. And that is why I will accept this award as a call to action -- a call for all nations to confront the common challenges of the 21st century.

By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

Breaking: President Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize

2009-10-09T08:27:00.000-07:00

Early this morning, it was announced that President Obama had been selected as the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. From the New York Times:

In a stunning surprise, the Nobel Committee announced in Oslo that it has awarded the annual prize to the president “for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” The award cited in particular Mr. Obama’s effort to reduce the world’s nuclear arsenal.

“He has created a new international climate,” the committee said.

The announcement, coming extraordinarily early in Mr. Obama’s presidency — less than nine months after he took office as the first African American president — shocked people from Norway to Washington.

The White House had no idea it was coming.

...a senior administration official said in an e-mail message that Mr. Gibbs called the White House shortly before 6 a.m. and woke the president with the news.

“The president was humbled to be selected by the committee,” the official said, without adding anything further.

Mr. Obama made repairing the fractured relations between the United States and the rest of the world a major theme of his campaign for the presidency and since taking office as president, he has pursued a range of policies intended to fulfill that goal. He has vowed to pursue a world without nuclear arms, as he did in a speech in Prague earlier this year, reached out to the Muslim world, delivering a major speech in Cairo in June, and sought to restart peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians.

“Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world’s attention and given its people hope for a better future,” the committee said in its citation. “His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world’s population.”

President Obama is only the third sitting U.S. president to win the award.

UPDATED: The President will deliver a statement from the White House at 11:00 a.m. Eastern.

By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

Video: "Nobody has more credibility on this issue"

2009-10-08T12:26:00.000-07:00

Here's the full video of the President's remarks from earlier in the week, in front of a gathering of doctors at the White House in support of health reform:

ByChristopher Hass
credit : barackobama.com

Message from David Plouffe: "Your video for reform"

2009-10-07T19:36:00.000-07:00

Earlier today, David Plouffe announced the official panel judges who, along with the American public, will help determine the winner of the OFA Health Reform Video Challenge:

Last month, we launched Organizing for America's Health Reform Video Challenge -- a contest to make the best 30-second ad showing why the President's plan for reform is so critical.

Today, I'm excited to announce a great panel of OFA volunteers, campaign veterans and well-known artists who will join me to help select the winning ad. The panel will include will.i.am, whose viral "Yes We Can" video fired up our movement last year, as well as Virginia Governor and Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine, actress Kate Walsh, and animator Seth MacFarlane (check out the full panel below).

There are less than two weeks left to submit a video before the October 18th deadline. The top submissions will be seen by millions online, and we'll run the winning ad on national television. With Congress moving into the final phase of this health reform debate, we need your creativity and voice out there more than ever.

Click here for all the info, rules, and everything else you need to get started.

You don't need special experience to record a powerful message. But if you know someone who makes great videos and wants to make a huge difference on the national stage, please pass on this note right away.

Your video can be serious or funny, simple or sophisticated. Just make sure to focus on why we need to fix today's broken system, or how President Obama's plan will help make sure all Americans have the care they need.

So get started today:

http://my.barackobama.com/VideoChallenge

Thanks, as always, for lending your voice.

David Plouffe

P.S. -- Here's the full list of judges: will.i.am, front man and producer of the multi-platinum Black Eyed Peas; actress and Voto Latino founder Rosario Dawson; Kate Walsh from "Private Practice" and "Grey's Anatomy;" Olivia Wilde from "House;" Dulé Hill from "The West Wing" and "Psych;' "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane; John Cho from "Harold and Kumar" and "American Pie;" and Brandon Routh from "Superman Returns."

We'll also have Virginia Governor and DNC Chairman Tim Kaine; DNC Executive Director Jen O'Malley Dillon; Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy; myself; and some of Organizing for America's most active grassroots volunteers -- Courtney S. from Georgia, Michelle M. from Arizona, and Erin T., a student organizer in New Hampshire.

By Christopher Hass
credit : barackobama.com

Video: House Call on Health Insurance Reform

2009-10-06T18:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, the President hosted doctors from all 50 states here at the White House, coming together in a powerful testimonial to what reform is all about.

Today the White House released a new video featuring interviews with many of those doctors at the event. Their testimonies are a reminder that the people at the real frontlines of the health care battle are not lobbyists or politicians invested in protecting the status quo, but are instead the people who deal with the health and well-being of our families every day and see the need for change first hand:

By Christopher Hass
credit : barackobama.com

Open Thread: Doctors for Health Insurance Reform

2009-10-06T09:05:00.000-07:00

By Christopher Hass
credit : barackobama.com

Message from Mitch Stewart: "A tremendous opportunity"

2009-10-05T18:43:00.000-07:00

Earlier today, OFA Director Mitch Stewart sent out the following update to OFA supporters:

I wrote to you last week asking for your help to produce and air a powerful new ad about why doctors and nurses around the country are standing up for health insurance reform. The response was extraordinary -- thousands of OFA supporters chipped in over $600,000 in just a few days, blowing away our $300,000 goal.

So now we have a tremendous opportunity. We're putting the finishing touches on the ad, just in time for a week of crucial negotiations in Congress that could determine the final shape of health reform. If we reach $1 million by Wednesday, we can pull the trigger on an ambitious plan. We'll focus the energy of staff across the country on this key campaign, hold events with doctors and nurses, and air the ad coast-to-coast to elevate their trusted voices at this critical moment.

Will you donate $25 or more now to help make it happen?

Thanks,

Mitch
P.S. -- Last week, we brought doctors and nurses from across the country to the studio to film the ad. Check out behind-the-scenes pictures of the ad you're funding and chip in to help us put it on the air at this vital time.

By Christopher Hass
credit : barackobama.com

Doctors Calling for Health Insurance Reform

2009-10-05T12:55:00.000-07:00

Doctors know as well as anyone that inaction on health insurance reform is no longer an option. They’ve seen first-hand what’s broken about our health care system; how, despite the fact that we spend twice as much as any industrialized nation, we aren’t any healthier for it. They’ve seen what happens when their patients’ coverage is retroactively canceled just when they need it most. The heartbreak a family endures when they can’t afford the care they need. Or the aftereffects of going too long without a regular checkup or screening. Doctors also spend far too much of their time running down forms and quibbling with insurance company bureaucrats, instead of caring for patients. One recent study found that the average physician spends 142 hours every year interacting with health plans, to the tune of $68,274 per physician per year.
For all these reasons, doctors joined President Obama at the White House this morning to join the push for health insurance reform.
Over the past week, OFA has been organizing events for health insurance reform with doctors and nurses across the country. At a “Roundtable” event in Gainesville, FL, Dr. Rob Hatch said the health care status quo is unsustainable and unacceptable. Here’s his quote from an article in the Gainesville Sun:

"It's just inexcusable. It's absolutely inexcusable and we need to do something about it. One reason our health care is so bad is that we have so many uninsured people," Hatch said.

In Albany, Georgia, about half a dozen doctors are planning to make 40,000 calls for health insurance reform. They’re talking to locals about what reform will mean for them, answering questions, debunking rumors and asking them to call on their senators and representatives to support President Obama’s plan. Here’s an excerpt from the piece on WALB News:

"I was calling to discuss health care reform with you," said Dr. Tania Smith, of Prestige Pediatrics.

Public opinion over health care reform remains divided and now these south Georgia health care professionals are weighing in. They joined forces with Organizing for America to push reform now.

"Right now people are looking for answers, they're looking for the truth about health care reform and doctors are a great place to start," said Ken King, Organizing for America.

Pediatrician Tania Smith is on the front line of this debate. While critics worry the President's plan may take decisions away from doctors, she feels insurance companies are already doing that. "As the system is going now we have a lot of people who are medically ignorant making decisions and denying claims and making insurance populations where you don't have any wellness visits included in your plan," said Smith.

As part of our multi-pronged work with doctors, we recently launched an effort asking doctors to write and send “Letters to the Editor” to their local papers to make the case for reform. Have you written a LTE to your hometown paper?

By Cloe Axelson
credit : barackobama.com

President Obama Speaks to Doctors from Across the Country

2009-10-05T10:30:00.000-07:00

The President will welcome doctors from across the country to an event in the Rose Garden this morning, where he will deliver remarks on the need for health insurance reform this year. You can watch a live stream of the event below, starting at 11:10 a.m. Eastern.
UPDATED: Today's event has concluded, but we'll have more coverage of the President's remarks later today.

By Christopher Hass
credit : barackobama.com

A Doctor's Note

2009-10-04T14:34:00.000-07:00

On Friday, Dr. Alice Chen sent out a special message to fellow OFA supporters:

My name is Alice Chen. I'm an OFA supporter, and a physician practicing internal medicine in Los Angeles.

I'm following the health reform debate pretty closely -- you probably are too. And as I see opponents of reform trying to water down or derail the President's plan, I know it's our urgent responsibility to speak out.

That's why millions of my fellow doctors and nurses, the American Medical Association, the American Nurses Association, and groups like the one I work with called Doctors for America are all fighting so hard for reform right now: talking to our patients, holding grassroots events -- and a few are even filming an ad with OFA.

Health professionals are doing what we can, but this is something we need to do together. Your voice, your opinion, and your story can help influence the debate at this crucial moment. Can you take 5 minutes to write a letter to the editor of your local paper in support of President Obama's Plan for health reform?

OFA has an online tool that makes it really easy. They'll provide background info on the President's plan that you can combine with your personal story about reform, and you can even submit your letter online to newspapers near you.

You don't have to be a doctor or an expert to write an effective letter -- you just have to have an opinion or a personal story to share. And these letters are short, usually just a paragraph or two, but they can have a huge impact because it shows your representatives and the media what local folks are thinking in the most public way possible.

I know that one of the most important things I can do for the health of my patients is to stand up for the reform all Americans need. That's why I and my fellow doctors are working so hard to spread the word, and that's why I'm asking you to join me by writing a letter today.

http://my.barackobama.com/write

Thank you,

Dr. Alice Chen

P.S. -- I want to share a story with you about why I'm so passionate about reform:
Two years ago, I took care of a businessman in Los Angeles. He had Crohn's disease, and his health and nutrition had been getting worse for over a year. He was seeing doctors at one of our private hospitals, but he lost his insurance, so he couldn't see his doctors anymore. Buying private insurance was impossible - no amount of money could have convinced an insurance company to cover him. He tried the county hospital ER, but the wait was 24 hours. He thought maybe he could manage.

A few months later, when he could barely walk from his bed to the door, he tried the ER again. By then, he had kwashiorkor (the kind of malnutrition that famine-stricken African children get) as a complication of his gut disorder. Every organ system was failing. I remember that even in the hospital, he tried to keep up his work via his Blackberry. We tried to help him, but he rapidly deteriorated and died just six days after admission.

I was devastated and talked to many colleagues about what I could have done differently to save my patient. He should have been living his life and being a productive member of society today, but he's dead. We could have saved him if he had been able to come for care sooner -- instead of being deterred by his lack of insurance. Ultimately, I recognize that he died because the system failed him. In our great country, that is unacceptable.
That's a big reason why I keep fighting for reform. I hope that this week, you can share your own view and your story in your letter to the editor.

By Christopher Hass
credit : barackobama.com

The President's Weekly Address: "Reforming our health insurance system as a critical step in rebuilding our economy"

2009-10-03T11:01:00.000-07:00

By Christopher Hass
credit : barackobama.com

"We don't fear the future -- we shape it"

2009-10-02T11:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, OFA online organizer Nicole Aro sent out the following to college students across the country:

I was lucky enough to be one of the thousands of people who heard President Obama speak about health reform recently at the University of Maryland. As he told the fired up crowd, "Change starts with people -- especially young people -- who are determined to take this nation's destiny into their own hands."

So if you can spare a few hours, here's a great way to help turn the bold change on health care we fought for during the campaign into a reality this year: Organize a "Health Reform Phone Booth."

It's simple: Just grab some friends and set up outside of the student center, on the main quad, near a cafeteria, or wherever you can find folks passing by with a few minutes to spare. You'll distribute fact sheets about the President's plan and ask people to call their members of Congress on the spot and voice their support.

We need to make sure our representatives hear from students and young people, who are hit particularly hard by today's broken health care system. Many of us are without insurance, and entering a tough job market where our employment and benefits could change at a moment's notice.

When you sign up to host a phone booth, we'll give you all the materials, phone numbers, and step-by-step instructions you need to make it a success -- and when you register your event online, other OFA volunteers can join you to lend a hand. You'll also get a special fact sheet about how reform will help students and young people.

Click here to run a Health Reform Phone Booth:

http://my.barackobama.com/CampusPhoneBooth

Passing health reform won't be easy. But as the President reminded us, so many young Americans worked tirelessly on last year's campaign because of our belief that America can still do great things. He said, "You believed that in this country, we don't fear the future; we shape the future... That's what America is about, and that's what we're called to affirm right now."
So let's get fired up and make this happen!

Nicole

Nicole Aro
Organizing for America

P.S. -- While we weren't anticipating anyone making an *actual* phone booth for their event, students in Nevada blew us away with their great creation:

By Christopher Hass
credit : barackobama.com

Open Thread: The Recovery Act at Work

2009-10-01T07:44:00.001-07:00

By Christopher Hass
credit : barackobama.com

"The cavalry, in white coats and scrubs"

2009-09-30T09:19:00.000-07:00

From Organizing for America Director Mitch Stewart:

The cavalry is here -- and they're in white coats and scrubs: More than a half a million doctors and millions of nurses are joining forces to help pass real health reform.

Americans listen to their nurses and doctors when it comes to health reform -- and for good reason. If we can help them amplify their voices, it'll be a huge boost to our campaign for change.

So we're working on a new television ad featuring their voices explaining why doctors and nurses so strongly support President Obama's plan -- and asking Congress to pass it. We'll run the ad in key states and districts all around the country to show folks where health professionals stand, cut through the spin, and build even greater support for reform.

But to produce and air the new ad before the Senate starts debating a final bill, we'll need to raise $300,000 by Thursday. Can you donate $25 right away?

The American Medical Association, Doctors for America, and a dozen other physicians groups representing 500,000 doctors are endorsing reform. So are the American Nurses Association and other organizations representing millions of nurses.

They're speaking out because they see the shortcomings of our health care system firsthand, every day: patients denied the care they prescribe, families losing access to their doctors, and a system that forces them to spend more time with paperwork and less time with patients.

These voices need to be heard -- with so much deception out there clouding the debate, it's critical that medical professionals are able to focus the country on the simple fact that health reform is good medicine.

But the final congressional committee could vote on their reform bill as early as Wednesday -- and debate on final legislation could start by the end of the week. So if we're going to help make these doctors and nurses' voices heard, we'll need to do it right now. Can you chip in $25 or more to help get our ad on the air?

https://donate.barackobama.com/HealthAd

Thanks,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

By Christopher Hass
credit : barackobama.com

"We've got to keep this great group together"

2009-09-29T15:50:00.000-07:00

As September draws to a close, across the country volunteers are continuing their tireless, methodical work to push for health insurance reform. From phonebanks to canvasses, public rallies to meetings with members of Congress, they've continued to push for reform, while carrying on the tradition of campaign that was unlike anything the political world had seen before.
From the St. Petersburg Times in Florida:

Almost every day across Florida and the country, one can find volunteers marching into congressional offices, manning phone banks, knocking on doors and collecting signed pledges of support for Obama's health care reform goals. The group signed up more than 3,000 volunteers in August alone and has held more than 500 events across Florida since June 6, collecting nearly 100,000 forms from people showing support.
"We're getting our voices out there," Robin Rosenbaum, regional field director for Organizing for America, told about three dozen enthusiastic University of South Florida and University of Tampa students writing letters to Sen. Bill Nelson and to newspapers Thursday night. "The more folks we have writing letters, the more change we'll see."
... "I met so many cool, like-minded people. After the campaign ended, it was like, 'We've got to keep this great group together,'" said Safety Harbor artist Malanda Schmitz, whose group, United 4 Change, remains active and recently organized a 100-person health care rally on the Courtney Campbell Causeway. She works closely with Organizing for America.
"Every person that I talk to that understands health reform a little better," Schmitz said, "then they can talk to one other person and help them understand a little better and it will grow from there."

By Christopher Hass
credit : barackobama.com

Open Thread

2009-09-28T17:43:00.000-07:00

By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

Announcing the "Health Reform Video Challenge"

2009-09-27T09:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, OFA/DNC New Media Director Natalie Foster announced the kick-off of the Health Reform Video Challenge:

In many ways, the fight for health insurance reform comes down to a battle over information. The more people know about how broken the system is and the President's plan to fix it, the more they want change. But there are an awful lot of lies to cut through, and a whole lot of truth to get out.

So today, we're proud to announce a powerful new way for you to help: Organizing for America's Health Reform Video Challenge.

This is your chance -- you ingenious, insightful, funny people out there -- to make a 30-second ad telling the story about why the status quo has got to go, or explaining how the Obama plan will ensure we get the secure, quality care we need without breaking the budget.

The top submissions will be voted on by the public and a panel of experts, with the winning ad aired on national television. This is your opportunity to add your voice and creativity to the debate, get some great exposure for your work, and make a huge difference.

Click here to get started.
No experience is needed -- if you have an idea, we want you to give it a shot. And if you know someone who is especially handy with a camera, please forward this note along right away. Just make sure you submit your ad by October 18th.

Your video could be as simple as you talking straight into the camera, as complex as a full-blown production with a script and special effects, or anything in between.

We're looking for serious videos: You can tell your personal story about how the broken health insurance system has affected you. You can illustrate the big picture about what's wrong now and how the President's plan will help with animations, charts, and facts.

We're looking for funny videos: You can parody those trying to scare us into inaction (between the lying pundits and the insurance company spin doctors, they've given us some good stuff to work with).

And we're looking for new ideas we never would have thought of but we know will blow us all away.

We know that compelling videos can touch people in a way that words alone simply cannot. The messages that regular people put together will make a bigger difference than any false smears or slick ads the other side can dream up. And who knows -- your creative, powerful, or touching video could help tip the balance in favor of health reform.

So go get started today!

http://my.barackobama.com/videochallenge

I can't wait to see what you come up with,

Natalie

Natalie Foster
New Media Director
By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

The President's Weekly Address: Progress with the G-20 in Pittsburgh

2009-09-26T11:16:00.000-07:00

By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

Open Thread

2009-09-25T12:31:00.000-07:00

(President Barack Obama chairs a meeting of the United Nations Security Council at the United Nations headquarters, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

By Bradley Portnoy

credit : barackobama.com

“Mom, It's Hokum. It's a Bunch of Malarkey.”

2009-09-24T18:50:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, Vice President Joe Biden and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius hosted a town hall meeting with seniors at Leisure World, a retirement community in Silver Spring, MD.

In recent weeks, Republicans have been attempting to scare America’s seniors with false statements about what reform would mean for Medicare – namely, that the President’s plan would result in benefit cuts. Vice President Biden delivered a passionate rebuke of those scare tactics and set the record straight. He explained that reform will preserve and strengthen Medicare, lower prescription drug costs, make preventive services free and eliminate overpayments to private insurance companies.

A few key points on President Obama’s plan and Medicare:

• President Obama is committed to protecting and strengthening Medicare for America’s seniors -- Medicare beneficiaries will not experience any cuts in benefits as a result of reform.

• His plan doesn’t use a penny of the Medicare trust fund to pay for reform; instead, it eliminates waste, fraud and abuse to strengthen the financial health of the program.

• The President has proposed to eliminate waste from the Medicare Advantage program to strengthen the financial health of the overall program:

• Medicare Advantage is part of the Medicare program that allows beneficiaries to receive services through private insurance plans.

• Currently, private insurance companies that participate in Medicare Advantage receive significant subsidies from the government. Medicare pays those private plans 14 percent more on average than they pay traditional Medicare – but doesn’t result in any better care for seniors.

• Putting an end to these overpayments will strengthen the Medicare program, extend its solvency and lower costs for all beneficiaries.

• The scare tactics on Medicare are just the latest in a series of politically motivated attacks by some Republicans to stall and kill reform.

• Republicans have never championed Medicare – they’ve been waging a war against the program for years. In fact, as recently as last April, 80 percent of House Republicans voted to “end Medicare as we know it” by turning it into a voucher program that would have provided seniors a fixed sum of money to purchase private insurance, a plan one AARP policy official called “a very dangerous idea.”

Vice President Biden and Secretary Sebelius also released a new HHS report at Leisure World -- Health Insurance Reform and Medicare: Making Medicare Stronger for America’s Seniors.

By Cloe Axelson

credit : barackobama.com

Reality Check: Medicare Benefits Won't Be Cut

2009-09-24T12:51:00.000-07:00

A common lie being perpetrated about health insurance reform is that it will cut your medicare benefits. This simply isn't true. Reform will, however, eliminate unwarranted taxpayer subsidies to private insurers that do nothing to improve your quality of care, and cost all beneficiaries more. And these subsidies will only go up in the future! Mike Hash, from the White House Office of Health Reform, explains the reality in this video:

By Bradley Portnoy

credit : barackobama.com

Watch Live: President Obama Chairs the UN Security Council Meeting

2009-09-24T07:20:00.000-07:00

UPDATED: Today's coverage of the UN Security Council Meeting has concluded.

By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

President Obama at the U.N. General Assembly: "Join us in building the future that our people deserve"

2009-09-23T21:37:00.000-07:00

This morning, nine months after taking office, President Obama made his first address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He spoke to the world leaders gathered there about their skepticism regarding America's engagement with the international community, and reflected on how he has worked to change that in his first months as President of the United States.

I took office at a time when many around the world had come to view America with skepticism and distrust. Part of this was due to misperceptions and misinformation about my country. Part of this was due to opposition to specific policies, and a belief that on certain critical issues, America has acted unilaterally, without regard for the interests of others. This has fed an almost reflexive anti-Americanism, which too often has served as an excuse for our collective inaction.

Like all of you, my responsibility is to act in the interest of my nation and my people, and I will never apologize for defending those interests. But it is my deeply held belief that in the year 2009 – more than at any point in human history – the interests of nations and peoples are shared.

The religious convictions that we hold in our hearts can forge new bonds among people, or tear us apart. The technology we harness can light the path to peace, or forever darken it. The energy we use can sustain our planet, or destroy it. What happens to the hope of a single child – anywhere – can enrich our world, or impoverish it.

...This is what we have done. But this is just a beginning. Some of our actions have yielded progress. Some have laid the groundwork for progress in the future. But make no mistake: this cannot be solely America’s endeavor. Those who used to chastise America for acting alone in the world cannot now stand by and wait for America to solve the world’s problems alone. We have sought – in word and deed – a new era of engagement with the world. Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges.

The President then called on the nations of the world to engage in a new cooperative effort to secure international peace and prosperity. And he outlined four pillars that he believes essential to securing that prosperous future: non-proliferation and disarmament; the promotion of peace and security; the preservation of our planet; and a global economy that advances opportunity for all people.

This body was founded on the belief that the nations of the world could solve their problems together. Franklin Roosevelt, who died before he could see his vision for this institution become a reality, put it this way – and I quote: “The structure of world peace cannot be the work of one man, or one party, or one Nation…. It cannot be a peace of large nations – or of small nations. It must be a peace which rests on the cooperative effort of the whole world.”

The cooperative effort of the whole world. Those words ring even more true today, when it is not simply peace – but our very health and prosperity that we hold in common. Yet I also know that this body is made up of sovereign states. And sadly, but not surprisingly, this body has often become a forum for sowing discord instead of forging common ground; a venue for playing politics and exploiting grievances rather than solving problems. After all, it is easy to walk up to this podium and to point fingers and stoke division. Nothing is easier than blaming others for our troubles, and absolving ourselves of responsibility for our choices and our actions. Anyone can do that.

Responsibility and leadership in the 21st century demand more. In an era when our destiny is shared, power is no longer a zero sum game. No one nation can or should try to dominate another nation. No world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will succeed. No balance of power among nations will hold. The traditional division between nations of the south and north makes no sense in an interconnected world. Nor do alignments of nations rooted in the cleavages of a long gone Cold War.

Finally, he called on those assembled in the chamber to recommit to The United Nations as an institution, and to work together to build a strong future for all world peoples.

Now it falls to us – for this institution will be what we make of it. The United Nations does extraordinary good around the world in feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, and mending places that have been broken. But it also struggles to enforce its will, and to live up to the ideals of its founding.

I believe that those imperfections are not a reason to walk away from this institution – they are a calling to redouble our efforts. The United Nations can either be a place where we bicker about outdated grievances, or forge common ground; a place where we focus on what drives us apart, or what brings us together; a place where we indulge tyranny, or a source of moral authority. In short, the United Nations can be an institution that is disconnected from what matters in the lives of our citizens, or it can be indispensable in advancing the interests of the people we serve.

We have reached a pivotal moment. The United States stands ready to begin a new chapter of international cooperation – one that recognizes the rights and responsibilities of all nations. With confidence in our cause, and with a commitment to our values, we call on all nations to join us in building the future that our people deserve.

Read the full remarks at WhiteHouse.gov.

By Bradley Portnoy

credit : barackobama.com

Vice President Biden at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners: "An unsustainable position"

2009-09-23T16:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Vice President Joe Biden addressed a meeting of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners at Maryland's National Harbor. He concentrated on the rapidly rising costs of health care in America, a factor in the debate known all too well to those charged with regulating our state insurance markets.

Vice President Biden also spoke about reform as a "moral issue," noting that no one can truly be secure in their insurance with our current system. Check out highlights from the speech below, or read the full remarks at WhiteHouse.gov.

You understand first-hand this crisis. You've seen the impact on families, and on businesses, of the skyrocketing insurance premiums. You've seen the pressure it places on hard-working Americans and on businesses, who in my view overwhelmingly want to do the right thing by their employees by providing health -- decent health coverage, but are put in a really difficult spot.

And you're working hard each and every day to combat these problems and to stop the unjustifiable increases in health care costs and insurance costs, I should say, in just as -- just look at what you've been up against. I know you know it, but it's important the public know it. A report released by the White House today finds that health insurance premiums in states have gone up between 90 and 150 percent in the last decade, far faster than wages and inflation.

...All around the country -- all around the country we're seeing these gaps widen. And all in all, there was a 5.5 percent rise in premiums for families just this past year. During this Great Recession, when inflation actually fell [point] 7 percent. Inflation fell [point] 7 percent, and premiums increased 5.5 percent.

So the soaring premiums are not only hurting families and killing small businesses, they're hurting our competitive position all around the world. But as the report points out, they're hurting -- they're hurting our whole free enterprise system. They're hurting our ability to compete -- the business -- of business competing internationally.

...To state the obvious, this is simply an unsustainable position. Families, businesses, state budgets, our national economy -- all demand a significant change. And you're stuck in the middle of it all. You're stuck in the middle of it all. You read the letters. You see the tears. The people -- if it's like my state of Delaware and a lot of small states, people actually importune you on the street. They know who you are. They know your job. They come up to you. I'll bet you if I went around the room of insurance commissioners here, and ask you just to give me 10 stories, 10 stories you know first-hand from people literally approaching you -- at your home, your neighborhood, the grocery store, the football game, church -- it would be a literal saga. Well, it's happening all across America.

...I want to restore stability in our health care system. And there are basic ground rules we need right now. One, no discrimination for preexisting conditions; no exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses, deductible or copays; no cost sharing for preventive care; no dropping of coverage for the seriously ill; no gender discrimination; no annual lifetime caps on coverage -- (applause) -- extended coverage for young adults; guaranteed insurance renewal.

...And far from running insurance companies out of business, we will be building the best thing about today's -- building on the best things about today's system, with more competition, more choice for customers -- and for the insurance companies, more customers, paying customers.

So when our critics say -- the third argument I hear is they say, well, this is not a moral issue. And some of us say there is a moral component to this. Well, tell that to the father who is fighting cancer and is told that his insurance won't cover any more treatment, because he's reached the annual limits. Tell that to a little girl who is in a full body cast, requires speech and physical therapy to recover only to be denied coverage for that therapy because it's deemed "maintenance" rather than "recovery." I could go to you and you could give me 25 other stories about why this is and does have a moral component to it. Or the mother with a diabetic child who is trying to cover the cost of insulin her child needs just to stay alive.

...So there's got to be a solution. Now, I'm confident that the one we are proposing is just the solution we need. But let's face it. Let's face it, there's a dire need to make this work. According to a stark report issued last week at Harvard University, as many as 45,000 people per year die owing to a lack of health insurance -- 45,000 individuals, according to a Harvard study. How is that possible?

...If we do nothing, in 10 years one in every $5 Americans earn will be spent on health care; in 30 years, one out of every $3 will be spent on health care if we do not bend the cost curve. Spending by the federal government on Medicare and Medicaid alone will be 15 percent of GDP by 2040 -- it's now about 5 percent. Right now about 46 percent of health care is government funded through Medicare and Medicaid.

...You support reform. You've said it in your health care reform principles. You said we need to protect consumers and increase the affordability and access to insurance. You all get it. You know better than almost anyone about the inefficiencies, the cost shifting -- the bad practices that presently corrode our health care system. You know these reforms will only serve to strengthen the vital work that you do each and every day. You're the best equipped to educate consumers. You are the best equipped to field complaints. You're the best equipped to serve as a critical line of defense against the abuse and fraud that had crushed families, crushed businesses, and crushed the dreams of millions of Americans. And you'll remain so.

Folks, the problem is real. The need for reform is acute, and the time is now. The poet Virgil once said the greatest wealth is health. The greatest wealth is health. Well, we're here to improve America's health, and in the process not incidentally secure and maintain America's wealth. They are not separable.
By Bradley Portnoy

credit : barackobama.com

Listen Live: Vice President Biden Hosts Town Hall on Health Insurance Reform and Seniors

2009-09-23T08:25:00.000-07:00

UPDATED: Today's town hall has ended, but we'll have more coverage of the Vice President later in the day.

By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

"No nation...can escape the impact of climate change"

2009-09-22T13:34:00.000-07:00

Amid this week's meeting of the United Nations General Assembly, UN Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon has designated today as a conference on climate change. This morning, President Obama addressed over 100 assembled representatives of the world's nations, emphasizing that although the challenge ahead of us is great, we hold the solutions to this global crisis.

This conference is an important step forward in developing the strategy that nations will discuss during the United Nations Climate Change Conference this December in Copenhagen. Read highlights from the President's remarks below, or the full text after the jump.

No nation, however large or small, wealthy or poor, can escape the impact of climate change. Rising sea levels threaten every coastline. More powerful storms and floods threaten every continent. More frequent droughts and crop failures breed hunger and conflict in places where hunger and conflict already thrive. On shrinking islands, families are already being forced to flee their homes as climate refugees. The security and stability of each nation and all peoples -- our prosperity, our health, and our safety -- are in jeopardy. And the time we have to reverse this tide is running out.

And yet, we can reverse it. John F. Kennedy once observed that "Our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man." It is true that for too many years, mankind has been slow to respond or even recognize the magnitude of the climate threat. It is true of my own country, as well. We recognize that. But this is a new day. It is a new era. And I am proud to say that the United States has done more to promote clean energy and reduce carbon pollution in the last eight months than at any other time in our history...

We've proposed the very first national policy aimed at both increasing fuel economy and reducing greenhouse gas pollution for all new cars and trucks -- a standard that will also save consumers money and our nation oil. We're moving forward with our nation's first offshore wind energy projects. We're investing billions to capture carbon pollution so that we can clean up our coal plants. And just this week, we announced that for the first time ever, we'll begin tracking how much greenhouse gas pollution is being emitted throughout the country...

But though many of our nations have taken bold action and share in this determination, we did not come here to celebrate progress today. We came because there's so much more progress to be made. We came because there's so much more work to be done.

It is work that will not be easy. As we head towards Copenhagen, there should be no illusions that the hardest part of our journey is in front of us. We seek sweeping but necessary change in the midst of a global recession, where every nation's most immediate priority is reviving their economy and putting their people back to work. And so all of us will face doubts and difficulties in our own capitals as we try to reach a lasting solution to the climate challenge...

We also cannot allow the old divisions that have characterized the climate debate for so many years to block our progress. Yes, the developed nations that caused much of the damage to our climate over the last century still have a responsibility to lead -- and that includes the United States. And we will continue to do so -- by investing in renewable energy and promoting greater efficiency and slashing our emissions to reach the targets we set for 2020 and our long-term goal for 2050.

But those rapidly growing developing nations that will produce nearly all the growth in global carbon emissions in the decades ahead must do their part, as well. Some of these nations have already made great strides with the development and deployment of clean energy. Still, they need to commit to strong measures at home and agree to stand behind those commitments just as the developed nations must stand behind their own. We cannot meet this challenge unless all the largest emitters of greenhouse gas pollution act together. There's no other way...

But the journey is long and the journey is hard. And we don't have much time left to make that journey. It's a journey that will require each of us to persevere through setbacks, and fight for every inch of progress, even when it comes in fits and starts. So let us begin. For if we are flexible and pragmatic, if we can resolve to work tirelessly in common effort, then we will achieve our common purpose: a world that is safer, cleaner, and healthier than the one we found; and a future that is worthy of our children.

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT

AT UNITED NATIONS
SECRETARY GENERAL BAN KI-MOON'S
CLIMATE CHANGE SUMMIT

United Nations Headquarters

New York, New York
Sept. 22, 2009
Thank you very much. Good morning. I want to thank the Secretary General for organizing this summit, and all the leaders who are participating. That so many of us are here today is a recognition that the threat from climate change is serious, it is urgent, and it is growing. Our generation's response to this challenge will be judged by history, for if we fail to meet it -- boldly, swiftly, and together -- we risk consigning future generations to an irreversible catastrophe.
No nation, however large or small, wealthy or poor, can escape the impact of climate change. Rising sea levels threaten every coastline. More powerful storms and floods threaten every continent. More frequent droughts and crop failures breed hunger and conflict in places where hunger and conflict already thrive. On shrinking islands, families are already being forced to flee their homes as climate refugees. The security and stability of each nation and all peoples -- our prosperity, our health, and our safety -- are in jeopardy. And the time we have to reverse this tide is running out.
And yet, we can reverse it. John F. Kennedy once observed that "Our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man." It is true that for too many years, mankind has been slow to respond or even recognize the magnitude of the climate threat. It is true of my own country, as well. We recognize that. But this is a new day. It is a new era. And I am proud to say that the United States has done more to promote clean energy and reduce carbon pollution in the last eight months than at any other time in our history.
We are making our government's largest ever investment in renewable energy -- an investment aimed at doubling the generating capacity from wind and other renewable resources in three years. Across America, entrepreneurs are constructing wind turbines and solar panels and batteries for hybrid cars with the help of loan guarantees and tax credits -- projects that are creating new jobs and new industries. We're investing billions to cut energy waste in our homes, our buildings, and appliances -- helping American families save money on energy bills in the process.
We've proposed the very first national policy aimed at both increasing fuel economy and reducing greenhouse gas pollution for all new cars and trucks -- a standard that will also save consumers money and our nation oil. We're moving forward with our nation's first offshore wind energy projects. We're investing billions to capture carbon pollution so that we can clean up our coal plants. And just this week, we announced that for the first time ever, we'll begin tracking how much greenhouse gas pollution is being emitted throughout the country.
Later this week, I will work with my colleagues at the G20 to phase out fossil fuel subsidies so that we can better address our climate challenge. And already, we know that the recent drop in overall U.S. emissions is due in part to steps that promote greater efficiency and greater use of renewable energy.
Most importantly, the House of Representatives passed an energy and climate bill in June that would finally make clean energy the profitable kind of energy for American businesses and dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. One committee has already acted on this bill in the Senate and I look forward to engaging with others as we move forward.
Because no one nation can meet this challenge alone, the United States has also engaged more allies and partners in finding a solution than ever before. In April, we convened the first of what have now been six meetings of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate here in the United States. In Trinidad, I proposed an Energy and Climate Partnership for the Americas. We've worked through the World Bank to promote renewable energy projects and technologies in the developing world. And we have put climate at the top of our diplomatic agenda when it comes to our relationships with countries as varied as China and Brazil; India and Mexico; from the continent of Africa to the continent of Europe.
Taken together, these steps represent a historic recognition on behalf of the American people and their government. We understand the gravity of the climate threat. We are determined to act. And we will meet our responsibility to future generations.
But though many of our nations have taken bold action and share in this determination, we did not come here to celebrate progress today. We came because there's so much more progress to be made. We came because there's so much more work to be done.
It is work that will not be easy. As we head towards Copenhagen, there should be no illusions that the hardest part of our journey is in front of us. We seek sweeping but necessary change in the midst of a global recession, where every nation's most immediate priority is reviving their economy and putting their people back to work. And so all of us will face doubts and difficulties in our own capitals as we try to reach a lasting solution to the climate challenge.
But I'm here today to say that difficulty is no excuse for complacency. Unease is no excuse for inaction. And we must not allow the perfect to become the enemy of progress. Each of us must do what we can when we can to grow our economies without endangering our planet -- and we must all do it together. We must seize the opportunity to make Copenhagen a significant step forward in the global fight against climate change.
We also cannot allow the old divisions that have characterized the climate debate for so many years to block our progress. Yes, the developed nations that caused much of the damage to our climate over the last century still have a responsibility to lead -- and that includes the United States. And we will continue to do so -- by investing in renewable energy and promoting greater efficiency and slashing our emissions to reach the targets we set for 2020 and our long-term goal for 2050.
But those rapidly growing developing nations that will produce nearly all the growth in global carbon emissions in the decades ahead must do their part, as well. Some of these nations have already made great strides with the development and deployment of clean energy. Still, they need to commit to strong measures at home and agree to stand behind those commitments just as the developed nations must stand behind their own. We cannot meet this challenge unless all the largest emitters of greenhouse gas pollution act together. There's no other way.
We must also energize our efforts to put other developing nations -- especially the poorest and most vulnerable -- on a path to sustained growth. These nations do not have the same resources to combat climate change as countries like the United States or China do, but they have the most immediate stake in a solution. For these are the nations that are already living with the unfolding effects of a warming planet -- famine, drought, disappearing coastal villages, and the conflicts that arise from scarce resources. Their future is no longer a choice between a growing economy and a cleaner planet, because their survival depends on both. It will do little good to alleviate poverty if you can no longer harvest your crops or find drinkable water.
And that is why we have a responsibility to provide the financial and technical assistance needed to help these nations adapt to the impacts of climate change and pursue low-carbon development.
What we are seeking, after all, is not simply an agreement to limit greenhouse gas emissions. We seek an agreement that will allow all nations to grow and raise living standards without endangering the planet. By developing and disseminating clean technology and sharing our know-how, we can help developing nations leap-frog dirty energy technologies and reduce dangerous emissions.
Mr. Secretary, as we meet here today, the good news is that after too many years of inaction and denial, there's finally widespread recognition of the urgency of the challenge before us. We know what needs to be done. We know that our planet's future depends on a global commitment to permanently reduce greenhouse gas pollution. We know that if we put the right rules and incentives in place, we will unleash the creative power of our best scientists and engineers and entrepreneurs to build a better world. And so many nations have already taken the first step on the journey towards that goal.
But the journey is long and the journey is hard. And we don't have much time left to make that journey. It's a journey that will require each of us to persevere through setbacks, and fight for every inch of progress, even when it comes in fits and starts. So let us begin. For if we are flexible and pragmatic, if we can resolve to work tirelessly in common effort, then we will achieve our common purpose: a world that is safer, cleaner, and healthier than the one we found; and a future that is worthy of our children.
Thank you very much.
By Bradley Portnoy

credit : barackobama.com

Open Thread

2009-09-22T05:54:00.000-07:00

Photo: President Barack Obama laughs during the taping of his appearance on the "Late Show with David Letterman" in New York

By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

Listen Live: President Obama Speaks on the Economy

2009-09-21T11:06:00.000-07:00

UPDATED: The President's speech has concluded, and we'll have a full transcript of his remarks later in the day.

By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

Open Thread

2009-09-20T20:02:00.000-07:00

Photo: Rally for Health Reform with President Obama at the University of Maryland

By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

President Obama on the Sunday Morning News Shows

2009-09-20T08:04:00.000-07:00

This morning, President Obama will sit down for interviews on a number of the major Sunday morning news shows, including ABC's This Week George Stephanopoulos, CBS's Face the Nation, NBC's Meet the Press, CNN's State of the Union with John Roberts, and Univision.

Check your local listings for times and channels.

By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

The President's Weekly Address

2009-09-19T11:46:00.001-07:00

By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

Video Message from the President: "Warm Wishes for Rosh Hashanah"

2009-09-18T20:49:00.000-07:00

At sundown tonight, the Jewish community here in the United States and all over the world celebrates the start of the new year. Earlier today, President Obama released a special video message:

By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

Fired Up, Ready To Go

2009-09-18T14:53:00.000-07:00

By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

On the Health Insurance Reform Now Bust Tour: Salt Lake

2009-09-17T18:10:00.000-07:00

Wheels down in Salt Lake City. As the OFA New Media Director, I rarely get out from behind my computer and I’m excited to leave DC and meet incredible OFA supporters, the backbone of our fight for health reform.

Rusty greets me at the baggage claim. Rusty’s new to Salt Lake – but he's one of the thousands of people who volunteered countless hours to help elect Barack Obama. He tells me about his year in Salt Lake, looking for work, as we drive to the event.

We get to Sugarhouse Park nearly an hour and a half before the event starts, but hundreds of people are already making their way across the grass to the site of the rally.

It’s a beautiful day and spirits are high. The crowd is a good mix of young people, seniors with lawn chairs, kids with soccer balls and families with dogs in tow. OFA volunteers are combing the crowd with clip boards, inviting folks to sign up and get further involved.

The bus roars up, honking, and the event starts. The speakers hop off, waving, and line the stage. After the State Director, Nikki Norton, welcomes folks she turns it over to Steve Hatch. Steve is a small business owner of a chocolate shop with medical concerns of his own.

Kristin Garbett – one of OFA’s volunteer community organizers in Salt Lake City and a mother of five – tells her story of action and conviction, and encourages folks to get involved.

State Senator Karen Mayne then speaks from the heart:

Millions are uninsured, we need national health reform, and we need it now. I’m a state senator and I’m working for reform…we need to conquer this together. We need to be brave, [our leaders] need to be brave, our leaders need to be wise and they should not be afraid. Together we can get this done.

Jeremy Bird, OFA’s Deputy Director, takes the mic and gets the crowd going by reminding everyone how far we’ve come.

He asks the crowd to whip out their cell phones and plug in the numbers of Utah Senators Orrin Hatch and Robert Bennett, as well as the general number for the House of Representatives. Pens and cell phones are out, pledging to call.

The rally ends on a high note as the beautiful Salt Lake sunset fades into twilight. People stay and chat late into the night about next steps. On to Vegas.

By Natalie

credit : barackobama.com

Host or Attend a Health Reform Phone Booth

2009-09-17T14:07:00.000-07:00

From Organizing for America Deputy Director, Jeremy Bird:

Last week the President laid out his health reform plan and challenged Congress to act. OFA volunteers leapt into action, generating hundreds of thousands of signatures and calls to show grassroots support. Now we need to reach out in our communities, spread the facts about the President's plan, and bring new voices of support into Washington.

If you can spare your lunch hour (or a couple of hours whenever you're free), you can help make it happen. Here's how: Organize or attend a "Health Reform Phone Booth."

It's simple: Just join up with other supporters in a public area where people will pass by, distribute fact sheets about the President's plan, and help folks call their members of Congress on the spot to voice their support.
You can search online to see if there's a booth already set up near you. But if not, just host your own! We'll give you all the materials, phone numbers, and step-by-step instructions you need to make it a success -- and when you register your Phone Booth online, other OFA volunteers can join you to lend a hand:

http://my.barackobama.com/SeptPhoneBooth

Passing health reform won't be easy -- they've been talking about it in Washington for almost a century. But we know that when ordinary people who believe in change reach out, spread the facts, and help folks from all walks of life make their voices heard, we can make history.

Thanks for making it happen,

Jeremy

Jeremy Bird
Deputy Director
Organizing for America

P.S. -- In August we asked a few OFA volunteers to test out running a Health Reform Phone Booth in their area, and we got great reports -- even from folks who were pretty nervous before they began. Here are just a couple:
I will confess that I questioned my decision to host an event the instant I hit the send button. I imagined myself on a street corner, handing out fliers like the guys hand out restaurant flyers. Relief struck when the first volunteer signed up with me. Imagine how thrilled I was when 15 had signed up!... We distributed 300 phone booth sheets and 600 info sheets... The best part, one of our volunteers was 79 1/2 years old. She was remarkable. Thank you for this opportunity. I am very glad I did it, no matter how nervous I was.
-- Mark P. from New York, New York
We had two veterans tell us that they were very happy with the VA system, and one vowed to write a letter to the editor to dispel the myths that that system doesn't work. Many people thanked us for having a booth and for trying to dispel the lies being spread by opponents of reform.
-- Mike O. from Bozeman, Montana
By Christopher Hass

credit : barackobama.com

"We can't wait any longer for health care reform in this nation"

2009-09-16T20:44:00.000-07:00

The Health Insurance Reform Now Bus continued its cross-country journey today in Omaha, Nebraska, where a crowd turned out to hear health care stories and learn how they can get involved. They heard first from Kieran McCarney, who tends bar at a local watering hole and spent most of his childhood without health insurance.

As a volunteer for Organizing for America, Kieran was pleased to deliver signatures in support of the President's plan to his elected officials last week.

Last Wednesday, we delivered the names of over 6,000 Nebraska residents to Senator Nelson...who came out and publicly showed their support for the President's three core principals surrounding health care reform.

Kieran called on those assembled to not rest on their laurels, because "there is much work to be done" in order to secure insurance reform. As he told the crowd, "The cost of inaction is still too high."

He was followed by Camille Johnson Arthur, who spoke about her trials in obtaining insurance for her family and her children. She noticed that as soon as her monthly costs were more than her premiums, she was cut off:

Time and time again, we got bumped. Our policy got bumped. So it left me with a child who needed $300 a month in ADHD medication, and a daughter who was in the process of being diagnosed with asthma even though she was less than a year old. And I had no coverage for prescription meds.

Camille was eventually able to get care for her children, but not for herself or her husband. And to her, that means something's wrong with the system.

If my children can be healthy, but their parents can't, have we really solved the problem? I want my children to be healthy, but I want their parents to be healthy as well...

So I ask you to continue to stand together for insurance reform. There are a whole lot more of Camille Johnson Arthurs out there who are waiting and hoping and pleading and begging that reform happens now.

Finally, Omaha heard from State Senator Brenda Council. Even though she's a practicing lawyer, she couldn't afford her COBRA coverage. She told the crowd that "We can't wait any longer for health care reform in this nation."

The bus spent the day in Salt Lake City today, and will be in Las Vegas tomorrow. Nevadans: we hope to see you there!

By Bradley Portnoy

credit : barackobama.com